# intensity

/ɪnˈtɛnsəti/ (US) · /ɪntˈɛnsɪti/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. strength of feeling

noun · CEFR B2

the quality of being very strong or serious in your feelings or actions.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. degree of power

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the measurable amount of something, like heat, light, or sound.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. earthquake severity

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a measure of how much damage an earthquake causes in a specific place.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The intensity of the sun is strongest at noon.
- Geologists measure the intensity of an earthquake to understand how much damage it might cause to local buildings.
- As the star approached the end of its life cycle, the intensity of its radiation increased significantly, affecting the atmosphere of nearby planets.

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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.