extensive

adjective

ex·​ten·​sive ik-ˈsten(t)-siv 

1

: having wide or considerable extent

extensive reading

2

: extensional

3

: of, relating to, or constituting farming in which large areas of land are utilized with minimum outlay and labor

extensively adverb

extensiveness noun

Synonyms

• broad
• deep
• expansive
• extended
• far-flung
• far-reaching
• rangy
• sweeping
• wide
• wide-ranging
• widespread

Examples of extensive in a Sentence

The storm caused extensive damage.

an extensive series of tests

Recent Examples on the Web

In the first study of its kind, scientists have used extensive data to identify that adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a significantly lower life expectancy than their neurotypical peers. —New Atlas, 3 Feb. 2025

Perhaps more revealing than the extensive discussion of safeguards was the level of respect city officials gave a business dedicated simply to getting people high. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025

So there is only one thing to do: perform an in-depth, arguably unnecessary, extensive over-analysis of the game’s big moments, and a few of its small ones too. —Nick Miller, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025

For the most part, these kinds of urban fires don’t cause extensive damage, Nordskog said. —Laura Paddison, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

extensive

adjective

ex·​ten·​sive ik-ˈsten(t)-siv 

: having wide or large extent

extensively adverb

extensiveness noun