What does immensely mean?
Immensely is an adverb meaning to a very great extent or degree. It intensifies qualities, quantities, effects, feelings, and changes: an event can be immensely important, a person can be immensely relieved, or a performer can be immensely successful. The word has a formal, emphatic character and can make a statement sound more forceful or dramatic than the everyday alternative 'very'. It is widely used in British English and is also standard in American English. Although closely related in meaning to 'enormously' and 'greatly', immensely is particularly suited to describing large degrees and effects, not merely physical size. It appears frequently in journalism, formal writing, publicity, and literary prose. In casual conversation, a simpler word such as 'really' or 'extremely' may sound more natural, while 'immensely' remains useful when the degree itself is the main emphasis.
adverbTo a very great extent or degree; enormously. It is used to emphasize the magnitude of a quality, quantity, effect, or change.
- To a very great extent or degree; enormously.
"The new policy has been immensely popular with young voters."
"The discovery has immensely improved our understanding of the ancient text."
"She was immensely relieved to hear that her family was safe."
If something is immense, saying it is immense may understate it: 'immensely' scales the feeling up to maximum volume.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does immensely come from?
The word derives from the adjective immense, which comes from Latin immensus, formed from in- meaning 'not' and mensus, a participial form of metiri, 'to measure'. The sense 'too great to measure' developed into the modern idea of extraordinary size or magnitude. The adverb-forming suffix -ly was added to immense during the 16th century, and the modern form has been in use since the 17th century.
How immensely is actually used
This is a formal or literary intensifier. It is especially common in British English, though it is also understood and used in American English. In everyday speech, 'really', 'very', and 'extremely' are often more natural.
Easily confused with immensely
Intensely describes great strength, concentration, or intensity, whereas immensely describes a very large extent, degree, or amount.