extensive

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

Definition of extensive

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

A record amount of rain left extensive flooding in Houston, the fourth-largest U.S. city, and the storm’s slow movement to the north and east was raising flood risks elsewhere in Texas and in other states.

— Washington Post, "Global stocks mixed after China factory, Wall Street gains," 31 Aug. 2017
A glance at Pueblo’s extensive menu confirms Oliver’s description of the cuisine as a bold bringing together of Mexican and seafood.

— david coddon, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Baja Med-inspired cuisine is served with style at Pueblo in Pacific Beach," 30 Aug. 2017
Without knowledge of Casanova’s life and his extensive travels, the exhibition seems rather random.

— gaile robinson, star-telegram, "Kimbell’s ‘Casanova’ follows the seducer’s trail through Europe – adult-only art and all," 30 Aug. 2017
This golden couple, now married and parents to Liv, have extensive, if nontraditional, fashion backgrounds.

— Vogue, "Having Put Down Roots in Stockholm, Totême Cofounders Elin Kling and Karl Lindman Make Their Fashion Week Debut," 30 Aug. 2017
The game was played in New Britain because of the extensive flooding in the Sugar Land community in Texas.

— courant.com, "Regional Digest: Hale's 3-Hitter Carries Skeeters Past Bees," 30 Aug. 2017
His shaved head, foul mouth, abhorrent views, and extensive arsenal distilled for many the most frightening elements of a resurgent white-supremacist movement.

— christopher d. cantwell, The Atlantic, "The Digitally Entangled Lives of Two Christopher Cantwells," 29 Aug. 2017
Property owners currently pay to maintain the city's extensive drainage system with 4.46-mill tax that voters renewed in 2016.

— kevin litten, NOLA.com, "Landrieu considers stormwater fees to pay for New Orleans drainage system upgrades," 29 Aug. 2017
The advance consultations could begin with private calls by the President, followed by more extensive discussions in capitals by senior Administration envoys.

— john r. bolton, National Review, "How to Get Out of the Iran Nuclear Deal," 28 Aug. 2017

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

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

narrow

Related Words

comprehensive, general, global, inclusive; boundless, endless, infinite, limitless, unlimited; capacious, commodious, roomy, spacious

Near Antonyms

circumscribed, limited, restricted

EXTENSIVE Defined for English Language Learners

extensive

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adjective

Definition of extensive for English Language Learners

: large in size or amount : very full or complete

EXTENSIVE Defined for Kids

extensive

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

Definition of extensive for Students

:including or affecting many things

The storm caused extensive damage.

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EXTENSIVE Defined for English Language Learners

extensive

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