intensifier

[ in-ten-suh-fahy-er ]

noun

1. a person or thing that intensifies.
2. Grammar. a word, especially an adverb, or other linguistic element that indicates, and usually increases, the degree of emphasis or force to be given to the element it modifies, as very or somewhat; intensive adverb.
3. a ram-operated device for increasing hydraulic pressure.

intensifier

/ ɪnˈtɛnsɪˌfaɪə /

noun

1. a person or thing that intensifies
2. a word, esp an adjective or adverb, that has little semantic content of its own but that serves to intensify the meaning of the word or phrase that it modifies: awfully and up are intensifiers in the phrases awfully sorry and cluttered up
3. a substance, esp one containing silver or uranium, used to increase the density of a photographic film or plate Compare reducer

Word History and Origins

Origin of intensifier¹

First recorded in 1825–35; intensify + -er ¹

Example Sentences

"The way we've incorporated chillies, tomatoes, cheese, chocolate, tea into our cooking, and the way our spices ginger, turmeric, cardamom and other intensifiers, have contributed to world cuisine, is a case study in itself."

From BBC

It got to the point where Ringo Starr began to affectionately refer to White as “that other drummer,” sometimes adding a playful intensifier to the phrase.

From Seattle Times

The sauces yowl with ginger, turmeric, cardamom and other intensifiers.

From New York Times

They act as magnifiers and they act as intensifiers.

From The Guardian

The pace of news and events is certainly part of that problem, but I tend to think that social media has been a terrible intensifier.

From Fox News