extensive

adjective ex·ten·sive \ ik-ˈsten(t)-siv \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

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

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extensively

adverb

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extensiveness

noun

See extensive defined for English-language learners

See extensive defined for kids

Examples of extensive in a Sentence

The storm caused extensive damage.
an extensive series of tests

Recent Examples of extensive from the Web

The information provided at know-your-rights presentations is far more extensive than the information provided by the immigration judges.

— jason buch, San Antonio Express-News, "Trump administration cuts legal orientation program for immigrants," 11 Apr. 2018
Related: But the changes are not as extensive as those proposed in a petition effort that had been aimed at placing a proposal on the November ballot.

— rich exner, cleveland.com, "ACLU will not support, or oppose, change in Ohio's congressional redistricting rules," 9 Apr. 2018
The damage was so extensive a replacement bus was needed to take the squad back to Manchester.

— afp, chicagotribune.com, "De Bruyne: Man City comeback against Liverpool 'not impossible'," 5 Apr. 2018
Rounding out the five-bedroom-four-bath home are extensive wooden decking, rolling lawns, flower beds, a small pond, outdoor shower, access to hiking trails, large garage, solar paneling, and more.

— lauren ro, Curbed, "Charles Moore-designed postmodern home on 76 acres wants $1.2M," 3 Apr. 2018
Demand for tickets to this performance has been extensive, according to the organizers, and a very limited number of tables and general admission seats remain.

— staff report, The Aegis, "Slide guitar virtuoso and multi-instrumentalist David Lindley to play in Bel Air Friday, April 6," 2 Apr. 2018
Winter maintenance on the Lady Maryland, the flagship for the Living Classrooms Foundation, was extensive.

— kim hairston, baltimoresun.com, "Living Classroom's Lady Maryland gets some winter maintenence," 30 Mar. 2018
Prosecutors mentioned three earlier crimes to which Cruz pleaded guilty, but records from the Broward County Sheriff's Office and Coral Springs police show his encounters with law enforcement were much more extensive.

— nicole chavez and rosa flores, CNN, "Attorney for school shooter's brother to challenge $500,000 bond in court," 29 Mar. 2018
The list of tiaras Markle could borrow from Queen Elizabeth and other members of the royal family is extensive, and there's also a chance a new tiara will be commissioned for the bride.

— maggie maloney, Town & Country, "The One Tiara Meghan Markle Definitely Won't Be Wearing on Her Wedding Day," 28 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'extensive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of extensive

1604

extensive Synonyms

EXTENSIVE Defined for English Language Learners

extensive

adjective

: large in size or amount : very full or complete

EXTENSIVE Defined for Kids

extensive

adjective ex·ten·sive \ ik-ˈsten-siv \

: including or affecting many things

The storm caused extensive damage.

Learn More about extensive

See words that rhyme with extensive Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for extensive Spanish Central: Translation of extensive Nglish: Translation of extensive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of extensive for Arabic speakers

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Examples of extensive in a Sentence

Recent Examples of extensive from the Web

First Known Use of extensive

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EXTENSIVE Defined for English Language Learners

extensive

EXTENSIVE Defined for Kids

extensive

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