INTENSIVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does intensive mean? 

• INTENSIVE (noun)
  The noun INTENSIVE has 1 sense:

1. a modifier that has little meaning except to intensify the meaning it modifies

  Familiarity information: INTENSIVE used as a noun is very rare.

• INTENSIVE (adjective)
  The adjective INTENSIVE has 3 senses:

1. characterized by a high degree or intensity; often used as a combining form

2. tending to give force or emphasis

3. of agriculture; intended to increase productivity of a fixed area by expending more capital and labor

  Familiarity information: INTENSIVE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INTENSIVE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A modifier that has little meaning except to intensify the meaning it modifies

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

intensifier; intensive

Context example:

'honestly' in 'I honestly don't know' is an intensifier

Hypernyms ("intensive" is a kind of...):

modifier; qualifier (a content word that qualifies the meaning of a noun or verb)

Domain member usage:

living ((informal) absolute)

precious; preciously; goddam; goddamn; goddamned (extremely)

candidly; frankly; honestly ((used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that)

just; simply ((used for emphasis) absolutely)

ever; ever so ((intensifier for adjectives) very)

marvellously; marvelously; superbly; terrifically; toppingly; wonderfully; wondrous; wondrously ((used as an intensifier) extremely well)

positively (extremely)

such (to so extreme a degree)

so (to a very great extent or degree)

hellishly; infernally (extremely)

most (very)

literally ((intensifier before a figurative expression) without exaggeration)

downright (thoroughgoing)

deadly; deucedly; devilishly; insanely; madly ((used as intensives) extremely)

in truth; really; truly (in fact (used as intensifiers or sentence modifiers))

mightily; mighty; powerful; right ((Southern regional intensive) very; to a great degree)

all-fired; all-firedly; bloody; damn (extremely)

well ((used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully)

every last ((used as intensive) every)

• INTENSIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Characterized by a high degree or intensity; often used as a combining form

Context example:

a labor-intensive industry

Similar:

intense (possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree)

Derivation:

intensiveness (high level or degree; the property of being intense)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Tending to give force or emphasis

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

an intensive adverb

Pertainym:

intensifier (a modifier that has little meaning except to intensify the meaning it modifies)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Of agriculture; intended to increase productivity of a fixed area by expending more capital and labor

Context example:

intensive conditions

Antonym:

extensive (of agriculture; increasing productivity by using large areas with minimal outlay and labor)

Derivation:

intensiveness (high level or degree; the property of being intense)

 Context examples 

National Institutes of Health’s Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) initially enabled scientists to compare the effects of standard versus intensive blood pressure control on cardiovascular health and mortality.

(Intensive blood pressure control may slow age-related brain damage, National Institutes of Health)

After 90 days, about 20% of the patients showed favorable outcomes regardless of whether they were given intensive or standard treatment.

(Researchers get a handle on how to control blood sugar after stroke, National Institutes of Health)

Sepsis is a leading cause of death in hospital intensive care units.

(Electroacupuncture Reduces Sepsis in Mice, NIH)

However, intensive radiation therapy not only damages tumor cells, but also healthy intestinal cells, leading to toxicity in 60 percent of treated patients.

(New Way Discovered for Protecting against High-Dose Radiation Damage, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Response to intensive chemotherapy, with or without radiotherapy, is usually good.

(Mediastinal (Thymic) Large B-Cell Lymphoma, NCI Thesaurus/WHO)

Intensive transport of monosaccharides into the cells (Salganik et al 1994).

(OXYS, Rat Strain, NCI Thesaurus)

The Independent Scientist Award (ISA) (K02) provides support for newly independent scientists who can demonstrate the need for a period of intensive research focus as a means of enhancing their research careers.

(Independent Scientist Award, NCI Thesaurus)

An intensive drug treatment to kill cancer cells, but that also destroys the bone marrow and can cause other severe side effects.

(High Dose Chemotherapy, NCI Dictionary)

A procedure in which bone marrow is removed from a person, stored, and then given back to the person after intensive treatment.

(Autologous bone marrow transplantation, NCI Dictionary)

Patients may do better if it is recognized early and they get medical care in an intensive care unit.

(Hantavirus Infections, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)