intensively
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪntˈɛnsɪvli/
US
- /ˌɪnˈtɛnsɪvli/
Description
- With close focus
- Thoroughly
- With great effort
- In a concentrated way
To do something intensively means to do it with a lot of focus, effort, and attention. Think of a student getting ready for a big exam; they may study intensively, spending long hours reviewing facts and practicing problems. Or imagine a gardener caring for delicate seedlings; they may watch them closely and work on them intensively so they grow well. The word suggests serious effort, often over a period of time, rather than something done in a casual way.
The word intensively describes something done with a high level of focus, effort, and careful attention. It does not just mean that something happens a lot; it suggests that the work is concentrated and serious. Think of an athlete training intensively for the Olympics; they are not just exercising now and then, but following a demanding plan with hard practice and strict discipline.
It is often used for learning, work, or care that requires strong dedication. A language learner might study intensively to reach a high level in just a few months, covering a large amount of material in a short time. In the same way, researchers may study a topic intensively, running many tests and examining the results very carefully.
Beyond education and sports, intensively can describe how attention or resources are used. In agriculture, land might be farmed intensively to produce as much as possible from a limited area. In a medical setting, a patient might be monitored intensively after major surgery so that every important change is noticed quickly. Unlike "intensely," which often describes strong feelings or force, intensively usually describes a method of working, studying, treating, or using something with close and sustained attention.
The key idea is that intensively points not only to how much effort is used, but also to how focused and thorough that effort is. It often suggests trying to reach a goal as effectively and quickly as possible. So when something is done intensively, it is being done with real concentration, not just casually or a little at a time.
Examples
- 1
Exam preparation
She studied intensively for three weeks before the exam.
- 2
Sports training
The team trained intensively all summer.
- 3
Work project
We worked intensively on the report until it was ready.
- 4
Course schedule
The course is taught intensively over two weekends.
- 5
Rehabilitation
The therapist worked intensively with him after the accident.
- 6
Farming method
The fields are farmed intensively, so the soil needs careful management.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- intensivelyadverb