extensive

Pronunciation: /ɪkˈstɛnsɪv/

adjective

Difficulty: common

Definition of extensive

Covering a large area or range; having considerable breadth, scope, or magnitude in terms of size, quantity, or application.

Origin of extensive

Language of origin: Latin

Root word: extensus

Original meaning: stretched out

How it evolved: Originally used to describe physical stretching or expansion, later adapted to refer to abstract concepts of scope or magnitude.

Derived from the Latin word 'extensus,' the past participle of 'extendere,' meaning 'to stretch out.' Over time, it came to signify anything stretched out broadly or comprehensively.

First known use: 15th century

How to Remember extensive

Think of 'extend'—extensive refers to something that has been extended across a large area or scope.

Synonyms for extensive

Antonyms of extensive

  • limited
  • narrow
  • restricted
  • compact
  • small-scale

extensive in a Sentence

  1. The research facility boasts extensive resources, enabling groundbreaking discoveries in multiple scientific fields.
  2. After months of planning, the entrepreneur launched an extensive marketing campaign to reach audiences across the globe.
  3. The historian compiled an extensive archive of documents, shedding light on previously unexplored aspects of medieval society.

extensive in Literature & Culture

Extensive is a favored term in literature and speeches to convey the grandeur or vastness of ideas, such as in descriptions of landscapes, resources, or achievements.

Usage Notes

While 'extensive' often implies a positive quality of breadth or comprehensiveness, it can also carry a neutral or negative connotation when referring to excessive or unwieldy scope.

Why extensive Matters for GRE & SAT

Frequently encountered in reading comprehension and essays, 'extensive' helps test-takers describe large-scale phenomena, thorough analyses, or broad implications succinctly and accurately.

Word Family

extent (noun)
The range or degree to which something extends.
extension (noun)
The act or process of enlarging, lengthening, or expanding.
extensively (adverb)
In a way that covers a wide area or involves a large amount.

Did You Know?

  • The word 'extensive' is often used in scientific and academic writing to emphasize the scope of research or study.
  • In real estate, 'extensive' is a common descriptor for properties with large areas of land, such as farms or estates.
  • The word shares its root with 'extend,' highlighting the idea of expansion or elongation.

More Vocabulary Words Starting with E

  • ebullient — cheerful and joyful
  • ebullient — cheerful and joyful
  • eccentric — deviating from conventional behavior; quirky
  • eccentric — deviating from conventional behavior; quirky
  • echelon — a level or tier within a system or organization
  • echelon — a level or tier within a system or organization
  • eclectic — Deriving ideas or style from a broad and diverse range of sources
  • eclectic — derived from a diverse range of sources or styles
  • eclectic — derived from a diverse range of sources or styles
  • eclipse — overshadow or surpass