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

Because of the extensive delays this year, some students won’t get their final financial aid award letter until the end of August, the U.S. Department of Education said in a recent update. —Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 14 July 2024

And as of yet, there’s no signs of an extensive criminal background. —ABC News, 14 July 2024

Irish, who got around in a wheelchair, has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1985. —Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 13 July 2024

Now the dispute has grown to involve the possible foreclosure of Nader’s extensive art collection and the building housing that collection. —Karen K. Ho, ARTnews.com, 13 July 2024

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