What does intense mean?
Intense describes something that exists at a very high degree of strength, concentration, or emotional power. It can apply to physical sensations such as heat, pain, or light; to demanding conditions involving pressure, effort, or concentration; and to feelings or experiences that are especially powerful or compelling. For example, an intense competition is exceptionally determined and closely fought, while intense pain is severe and sharply felt. The word often implies more than ordinary strength and can suggest endurance, focus, or emotional depth. It is especially useful when the degree of a feeling, sensation, or level of activity needs emphasis. The closely related noun intensity names the strength or concentration of a feeling or experience, while the adverb intensely describes how something is done or felt.
adjectiveHaving or producing a very strong effect, degree, or concentration. Used of feelings, sensations, efforts, conditions, and competition.
- Having a very strong or concentrated effect.
- Requiring a high degree of effort, concentration, or emotional intensity.
- Very great or extreme in degree.
"The intense heat of the afternoon made everyone seek shelter indoors."
"She underwent an intense period of training before the competition."
"His intense gaze made the entire room fall silent."
Intense comes from the Latin intensus, meaning “stretched out” or “heightened” — the same idea behind intensity and tension.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of intense
Intense entered English in the early 17th century from Latin intensus, a past participle of intendere meaning “to stretch out.” In Latin it developed the sense of heightened, concentrated, or strengthened. Its relatives include intensity, intensively, and intensification, as well as words connected with the same root such as intent and tension.
Related word forms
How intense is actually used
The word is common in both formal and informal English. It can describe physical or sensory conditions, such as heat or pain, as well as emotions, concentration, effort, and competition; in the emotional sense, it may suggest powerful feeling rather than ordinary enthusiasm.
Easily confused with intense
Intense describes an exceptionally strong feeling, sensation, or level of activity, whereas tense primarily describes strain, anxiety, or a grammatical time form.