Word
intensive
Meanings
involving a lot of effort, attention, or activity in a short period
providing concentrated instruction or training over a short time
requiring close attention and thorough care, especially in a hospital
Definition
Intensive describes something done with a lot of effort, energy, or concentration in a short time.
If something is intensive, it is highly focused and demanding, often requiring sustained effort. It can describe courses, training, care, or work that is concentrated into a short period. It often suggests depth and intensity rather than a relaxed or gradual pace.
Examples
- I found the intensive workshop exhausting, but it sharpened my skills in just three days.
- You need an intensive review of the data before you present it to the committee.
- She signed up for an intensive language course to prepare for her move abroad.
- They carried out intensive negotiations to reach a compromise before the deadline.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse intensive with extensive, using intensive when they mean “covering a lot” rather than “highly focused and demanding.”
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More adjectives
- agnostic An agnostic is someone who does not claim to know whether God exists.
- pragmatic Pragmatic means focused on practical results rather than ideals or theories.
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- cynical Cynical describes believing that people are mainly motivated by self-interest and not sincere.
- apathetic Apathetic means showing little or no interest, concern, or enthusiasm.