intense

[in-tens] /ɪnˈtɛns/
adjective
1.
existing or occurring in a high or extreme degree:
intense heat.
2.
acute, strong, or vehement, as sensations, feelings, or emotions:
intense anger.
3.
of an extreme kind; very great, as in strength, keenness, severity, or the like:
an intense gale.
4.
having a characteristic quality in a high degree:
The intense sunlight was blinding.
5.
strenuous or earnest, as activity, exertion, diligence, or thought:
an intense life.
6.
exhibiting a high degree of some quality or action.
7.
having or showing great strength, strong feeling, or tension, as a person, the face, or language.
8.
susceptible to strong emotion; emotional:
an intense person.
9.
(of color) very deep:
intense red.
10.
Photography, dense (def 4).
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Latin intēnsus, variant of intentus intent2, past participle of intendere to intend. See in-2, tense1
Related forms
intensely, adverb
intenseness, noun
hyperintense, adjective
hyperintensely, adverb
hyperintenseness, noun
overintense, adjective
overintensely, adverb
overintenseness, noun
superintense, adjective
superintensely, adverb
superintenseness, noun
Can be confused
intense, intensive, intents.
Synonyms
2. fervent, passionate, ardent, strong.
Examples from the web for intense
  • Instinct might suggest that a full-throttle, intense cheese deserves a great wine.
  • They stuck with data and science, got more and more intense and forceful, and forgot all about empathy.
  • The weapon targets proteins that detect excessive heat, delivering an intense burning feeling without any actual burning.
  • Life is real at war, concentrated and intense it is lived at full speed.
  • The better your fruit, the more delicious these bright, intense popsicles will be.
  • Because it's concentrated, color is more intense in pots.
  • They remove the cover in fall when the sun is less intense.
  • intense, pleasantly bitter lemon zest and minerals softened by a floral quality.
  • Keep some leaves on the sunny south side of the clusters, however, to shade the fruit from intense direct sun.
  • He's clearly taken with the complexity of this fruit's intense flavor.
British Dictionary definitions for intense

intense

/ɪnˈtɛns/
adjective
1.
of extreme force, strength, degree, or amount: intense heat
2.
characterized by deep or forceful feelings: an intense person
Derived Forms
intensely, adverb
intenseness, noun
Usage note
Intense is sometimes wrongly used where intensive is meant: the land is under intensive (not intense) cultivation. Intensely is sometimes wrongly used where intently is meant: he listened intently (not intensely)
Word Origin
C14: from Latin intensus stretched, from intendere to stretch out; see intend
Word Origin and History for intense
adj.

c.1400, from Middle French intense (13c.), from Latin intensus "stretched, strained, tight," originally past participle of intendere "to stretch out, strain" (see intend); thus, literally, "high-strung." Related: Intensely.

Slang definitions & phrases for intense

intense

adjective

Excellent; cool (1970s+ Teenagers)