adj

intense

ihn-TEHNS

adj

Extremely strong, forceful, or extreme in degree.

"The heat was intense enough to melt the tarmac."

"She felt an intense wave of relief when the plane landed safely."

Describing a person who is very serious, focused, or emotionally passionate.

"He's a bit intense — he takes everything very seriously."

How to Use Intense

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishVery strong or extreme — used for feelings, heat, effort, or a person's manner.

Common pairings

intense pressure intense heat intense focus

intenser comparative, more intense comparative, intensest superlative, most intense superlative

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The heat was _____ enough to melt the tarmac.

From Latin intensus, "stretched tight, strained," from intendere, "to stretch out."

tense sense dense incense immense offense license expense defense nonsense condense dispense