extensive

adjective

ex·​ten·​sive ik-ˈsten(t)-siv How to pronounce extensive (audio)
1
: having wide or considerable extent
extensive reading
2
3
: of, relating to, or constituting farming in which large areas of land are utilized with minimum outlay and labor
extensively adverb
extensiveness noun

Examples of extensive in a Sentence

The storm caused extensive damage. an extensive series of tests
Recent Examples on the Web Photos posted to social media showed what appeared to be extensive residential damage in Indian Lake. CBS News, 15 Mar. 2024 Johnson — whose videos of his extensive regimen have been viewed millions of times — sees his exploration of longevity on a grand historical scale, like Magellan circumnavigating the globe. Daniel Gilbert, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 The show, with a score by singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, is the latest addition to Atlantic’s extensive catalog of original Broadway cast recordings, which includes Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen and Jagged Little Pill. Rebecca Milzoff, Billboard, 14 Mar. 2024 Pardi also did not answer detailed questions from The Arizona Republic about Knauss' extensive legal history. The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2024 Numerous prepper websites include extensive lists of apocalypse-ready supplies. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2024 Unlike suborbital flights, future orbital flights with a spacewalk will require extensive training, given that spacewalks are inherently more dangerous than simply riding in a vessel. Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 14 Mar. 2024 The display celebrates her extensive creative collaborations, activism and profound cultural influence. Alex Kessler, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2024 An extensive yearlong renovation upgrading the building’s plumbing, mechanical and electrical features ran them approximately $500,000. Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 3 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'extensive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of extensive was in 1604

Dictionary Entries Near extensive

Cite this Entry

“Extensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extensive. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

extensive

adjective
ex·​ten·​sive ik-ˈsten(t)-siv How to pronounce extensive (audio)
: having wide or large extent
extensively adverb
extensiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on extensive

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