# extensive

/ɪkˈstɛnsɪv/ (US) · /ɛkstˈɛnsɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/extensive
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. covering a large area

adjective · CEFR B2

covering a very large physical space or area.

For teachers: covering a vast physical area or extent; having great spatial dimensions.

- The hotel has extensive grounds with several gardens and a private lake.
- The property includes extensive woodlands that stretch for several miles along the northern border of the estate.

### 2. wide in scope

adjective · CEFR B2

including a lot of information, details, or different parts.

For teachers: comprehensive in scope or detail; covering a wide range of topics or elements.

- The police conducted an extensive search of the area to find the missing keys.
- The researcher provided extensive documentation to support her claims, citing over two hundred independent studies from the last decade.

### 3. large in amount

adjective · CEFR B2

large in amount or degree.

For teachers: considerable in amount, degree, or magnitude.

- The storm caused extensive damage to the roofs of many houses.
- The fire resulted in extensive repairs being necessary before the gallery could reopen to the public.

### 4. thermodynamics

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

describes a property that changes depending on how much matter is in a system.

For teachers: relating to a physical property whose value is proportional to the amount of material in the system, such as mass or volume.

- Mass is an extensive property because it increases as you add more of a substance.
- In thermodynamics, extensive variables like volume and internal energy are distinguished from intensive variables like temperature and pressure.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun 'property' or 'variable' in scientific contexts.

## Examples

- The storm caused extensive damage to the roof.
- The museum has an extensive collection of ancient coins from all over the world.
- After an extensive search of the historical archives, the researchers finally located the original blueprints for the city's first bridge.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.