extensive

[ ik-sten-siv ]

adjective

1. of great extent; wide, broad:

   an extensive area.

   Synonyms: vast, ample, spacious, large, extended

   Antonyms: confined, narrow, limited

2. covering or extending over a great area:

   extensive travels.

3. far-reaching; comprehensive; thorough:

   extensive knowledge.

   Antonyms: parochial, confined, narrow, limited

4. lengthy:

   an extensive journey.

5. great in amount, number, or degree:

   an extensive fortune; extensive political influence.

6. of or having extension:

   Space is extensive, time durational.

7. noting or pertaining to a system of agriculture involving the use or cultivation of large areas of land with a minimum of labor and expense ( intensive ).

extensive

/ ɪkˈstɛnsɪv /

adjective

1. having a large extent, area, scope, degree, etc; vast

   an extensive inheritance

   extensive deserts

2. widespread

   extensive coverage in the press

3. agriculture involving or farmed with minimum expenditure of capital or labour, esp depending on a large area of land Compare intensive
4. physics of or relating to a property, measurement, etc, of a macroscopic system that is proportional to the size of the system Compare intensive

   heat is an extensive property

5. logic
   1. of or relating to logical extension
   2. (of a definition) in terms of the objects to which the term applies rather than its meaning

Derived Forms

• exˈtensively, adverb
• exˈtensiveness, noun

Other Words From

• ex·ten·sive·ly adverb
• ex·ten·sive·ness ex·ten·siv·i·ty [ek-sten-, siv, -i-tee, ik-], noun
• non·ex·ten·sive adjective
• non·ex·ten·sive·ness noun
• pre·ex·ten·sive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of extensive¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Late Latin extēnsīvus, equivalent to Latin extēns(us) (past participle of extendere “to stretch out”) + -īvus adjective suffix; extend, -ive

Example Sentences

After careful evaluation of the extensive data, the results are now available: they provide detailed information on changes in the morphology and structure of the material, but also on chemical processes during discharge.

From Science Daily

The study also highlights the importance of egalitarianism, respect for individual autonomy and extensive sharing in shaping how cultural knowledge is passed down among hunter gatherers.

From Science Daily

He has also been reminding Ghanaians of his extensive political experience but the fact remains - he was voted out of power once before as the public felt his performance wasn't good enough.

From BBC

During the campaign, Trump denied any connection to the document, which was released last year by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, but its authors have extensive ties to his former administration.

From Science Magazine

It requires extensive research to determine whether the items were collected ethically, to identify descendants and to navigate complex international regulations on movement of human remains.

From BBC

Related Words

• broad
• comprehensive
• considerable
• expanded
• huge
• large
• large-scale
• lengthy
• major
• pervasive
• protracted
• sweeping
• vast
• voluminous
• wide-ranging