Word
intensity
Phoneticsin·ten·si·ty, stress on the second syllable
US/ɪnˈtɛnsəti/
UK/ɪntˈɛnsɪti/
Definitions
01strength of feeling
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the quality of being very strong or serious in your feelings or actions.
n. the quality of being intense; extreme force, energy, or feeling. Uncountable in this abstract sense.
“The intensity of her gaze made him feel a bit nervous.”
“The actors performed with such raw intensity that the audience remained silent for several minutes after the curtain fell.”
02degree of power
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Science Technical
n. the measurable amount of something, like heat, light, or sound.
n. the measurable amount of a property, such as force, brightness, or a magnetic field.
“The doctor adjusted the intensity of the light during the eye exam.”
“As the storm approached the coast, the wind reached an intensity that the local infrastructure was not designed to withstand.”
Synonyms
03earthquake severity
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Science Technical
n. a measure of how much damage an earthquake causes in a specific place.
n. the severity of an earthquake in terms of its effects on the earth's surface and human structures, distinct from its magnitude.
“The intensity of the shaking was much higher near the coast than inland.”
“Seismologists mapped the earthquake's intensity across the province to determine which areas required the most urgent structural reinforcements.”
Usage
Often used with the Modified Mercalli scale.
Pitfall
The earthquake had an intensity of 7.0 on the Richter scale.
The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.0.
Magnitude measures the energy at the source; intensity measures the actual shaking and damage at a specific location.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “intensity” in context.
Verb
01. diminish the intensity
“The new medication helped to diminish the intensity of his chronic migraines.”
verb + noun
02. increase in intensity
“The storm is expected to increase in intensity as it moves toward the coast.”
verb + prep + noun
03. work with intensity
“She worked with such intensity that she finished the entire project in just two days.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
04. unrelenting intensity
“The unrelenting intensity of the summer heat made it impossible to work outdoors.”
adj + noun
05. varying degrees of intensity
“Patients experience the symptoms with varying degrees of intensity depending on their age.”
adj + noun + prep + noun
Noun
06. intensity of the light
“You can adjust the intensity of the light using the dimmer switch on the wall.”
noun + of + noun
07. level of intensity
“The coach was impressed by the high level of intensity shown during the training session.”
noun + of + noun
Preposition
08. with frightening intensity
“The fire spread through the dry forest with frightening intensity.”
prep + adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“He was describing how individuals who are normally preoccupied with their personal concerns get swept up into a kind of electric, communal intensity.” “There’s bone-crushing intensity in this striking recording of the original version of the Bruckner’s third.” Etymology
From intense + -ity. Cf. also Medieval Latin intensitas.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domains
- 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
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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