Word
exhaustive
Phoneticsex·haus·tive, stress on the second syllable
US/ɪɡˈzɔstɪv/
UK/ɛɡzˈɔːstɪv/
Definitions
01thorough and complete
C1 · Advanced Academic · Formal
adj. including every possible detail or part so that nothing is left out.
adj. including every possible element; fully comprehensive and thorough in scope.
“The police conducted an exhaustive search of the house but found nothing.”
“After an exhaustive review of the scientific literature, the researchers concluded that no further trials were necessary at this stage.”
Usage
Usually placed before a noun like 'search', 'list', 'report', or 'study'.
Pitfall
The long walk was very exhaustive.
The long walk was very exhausting.
Use 'exhaustive' for a thorough search or list; use 'exhausting' for something that makes you feel very tired.
Teaching tip
Learners often confuse this with 'exhausting'. Remind them that 'exhaustive' describes the completeness of a task, not the physical fatigue of the person doing it.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02tiring
C2 · Proficiency Archaic
adj. making you feel very tired or using up all your energy.
adj. tending to exhaust; causing fatigue or depletion of resources.
“The soldiers found the long march through the mud to be exhaustive.”
“The exhaustive nature of the climb left the expedition members unable to continue without a full day of rest.”
Teaching tip
This sense is rare in modern English; 'exhausting' is the standard choice for this meaning today.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Exhaustive investigations in France and the UK have left police no closer to understanding who carried out the al-Hilli murders and why.” “Exhaustive research by government lawyers – detailed in more than 1,600 pages of filings – claim internal company documents included warnings about the products being toxic.” Etymology
Borrowed from Medieval Latin exhaustīvus, also exhaust + -ive by surface analysis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/exhaustive