intensively

intensively — adverb

1. doing something with strong focus and a great deal of effort, often packed into

1.adverbC1
Definition

doing something with strong focus and a great deal of effort, often packed into a short stretch of time or a small space.

Example

Anong studied Japanese intensively for six weeks before her trip to Kyoto.

verb + intensively + for + duration

The new vaccine has been tested intensively in three different hospitals.

passive: be + past participle + intensively

Common collocations
  • study intensively
  • train intensively
  • work intensively
  • research intensively
  • test intensively
  • question intensively
  • intensively cultivated
  • intensively farmed
Synonyms
  • thoroughly

    emphasises completeness rather than concentrated effort

  • rigorously

    stresses strict, careful method, especially in testing or training

  • exhaustively

    stronger; suggests every possible angle has been covered

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

verb + intensively

intensively + past participle

Usage Note

Most often modifies verbs of mental or practical effort (study, train, work, research, question, test). Frequently followed by a duration phrase (for two weeks) or a purpose clause (to find a cure), highlighting that the effort is concentrated rather than spread out.

Common Mistakes

The book is intensively interesting.
The book is intensely interesting.
to modify an adjective use 'intensely'; 'intensively' modifies verbs of effort.
Constanza loves him intensively.
Constanza loves him intensely.
feelings take 'intensely'; 'intensively' is for activities done with concentrated effort.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four adverbs describe doing something carefully and seriously, but they highlight different aspects. 'Intensively' focuses on concentrated effort packed into a short period or small area, as in 'she studied intensively for two weeks'. 'Thoroughly' emphasises completeness — every part has been covered, as in 'the kitchen was cleaned thoroughly'. 'Rigorously' stresses strict, disciplined method, often in scientific or athletic contexts: 'the drug was rigorously tested'. 'Exhaustively' is the strongest of the four, suggesting that nothing has been left out: 'the topic has been exhaustively researched'. Choose 'intensively' when you want to convey burst-like, high-effort activity over a limited stretch.

intensively ↗thoroughly ↗rigorouslyexhaustively

Common collocations

Phrases

  • work intensively on
  • study intensively for
  • train intensively at

Prepositions

  • intensively for [duration]
  • intensively about [topic]

Etymology

LatinMedieval LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Formed in English in the early 1600s by adding the adverb-forming suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'intensive', which came through Old French 'intensif' from Medieval Latin 'intensivus'. That Latin form traces back to the verb 'intendere', literally 'to stretch toward', built from 'in-' (toward) and 'tendere' (to stretch). The sense of stretching one's effort toward a single point lies behind the modern meaning of focused, concentrated activity.