What does intensively mean?
Intensively means doing something with concentrated, sustained effort and close attention. It is especially common in educational, professional, medical, and training contexts: intensive study, intensive care, and intensive preparation all suggest a focused and demanding process rather than a casual or brief one. The adverb can describe the manner of an activity, as in “They worked intensively,” or modify the activity itself, as in “intensive training.” It is closely related to intensive, intense, intensity, and intensify, all of which share a Latin root associated with stretching or strengthening. The word is often contrasted with extensively: intensive work narrows attention toward a limited goal, while extensive work covers a broad subject or range of subjects. Because it suggests effort and focus, intensively can also imply that a demanding approach is being taken.
adverbIn a concentrated, thorough, and sustained manner, with close attention to a particular activity or task. It describes an approach involving intensive effort, focus, or treatment rather than a brief or superficial one.
- In a concentrated, thorough, and sustained manner; with close attention and substantial effort.
"The students prepared for the examination by studying intensively for several weeks."
"The rescue team searched the area intensively after receiving a new report."
"Patients requiring intensive care are monitored by a specialist team."
Intensively means doing something with concentrated focus: a short, powerful burst of effort rather than a long, scattered attempt.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does intensively come from?
Intensively is an English adverb formed from intensive, which was borrowed through Medieval Latin from Latin intensivus, meaning “intense, strengthening.” The Latin word was related to intendere, “to stretch out,” and intensus, “stretched,” from an Indo-European root associated with tension. The English family includes intense, intensity, intensify, and intensification, reflecting the shared idea of concentration or strengthening. Intensively retains the adjective’s sense of concentrated and sustained activity.
How intensively is actually used
Common in formal and professional contexts, especially education, medicine, training, research, and work planning. It often contrasts with a lighter or less sustained approach.
Easily confused with intensively
Intensively emphasizes concentrated effort or close attention, whereas extensively emphasizes broad or wide-ranging coverage.
Intensively describes a concentrated manner of working or treating something, while intensely more often describes a strong feeling or degree of activity.