WordGarden.iointense
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪntˈɛns/
US
- /ˌɪnˈtɛns/
Meanings
Adjective
very strong, extreme, or severe in degree
showing strong emotion, seriousness, or deep focus
vivid, deep, or highly noticeable in sensory effect
Beyond the definition
Imagine standing close to a roaring fire and feeling the heat all at once. That's what intense is like. It describes something that feels very strong or powerful, whether it is an emotion, an experience, a color, or a period of effort. You might have an intense craving for chocolate after a long day, or watch an intense game between two rival teams.
It is not always positive; it simply means very strong. A thunderstorm can feel intense, and a difficult conversation can become intense too. The idea is that something is so strong, serious, or focused that it pulls all of your attention.
The word "intense" describes something that is very strong, forceful, or extreme in degree. It goes beyond simply being "strong"—it implies a concentration of power or feeling that demands total attention.
You can experience an intense emotion like joy, anger, or sadness—feelings so powerful they temporarily overwhelm you. A challenging workout might be described as intensely physical, pushing your body to its absolute limits. An intense color is vivid and saturated, catching your eye immediately because of its depth.
The context of "intense" often dictates whether it carries a positive or negative connotation. An intense friendship suggests a deep connection and unwavering loyalty, while intense pressure at work can lead to stress and burnout. Similarly, a detective might conduct an intense investigation, meticulously examining every detail with high focus.
Historically, "intense" comes from the Latin word intendere, meaning "to stretch out" or "to strain." This origin explains why the word describes something that is stretched to its limit or highly focused.
Whether you're describing a feeling, an experience, a color, or an effort—if it is exceptionally strong and captivating, it's likely intense. It signifies a level of power and concentration that sets it apart from the ordinary.
Examples
- 1
Weather
The intense heat made it hard to sleep.
- 2
Physical pain
She felt an intense pain in her shoulder after the fall.
- 3
Flavor
The soup had an intense garlic flavor.
- 4
Personal interest
He has an intense interest in old maps.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Deadline pressure
There was intense pressure to finish the report by Friday.
- 6
Political debate
The two candidates had an intense debate on live TV.
- 7
Training
After two weeks of intense training, the team was exhausted.
- 8
Personality
He can be a little intense when he talks about politics.
- Phrasecan be a little intense
can seem very serious or too focused
See also
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- intenseadjective
Forms
- intensercomparativeadjective
- intensestsuperlativeadjective