intense
Definitions
Very great in strength, degree, or amount
强烈的，剧烈的
(of a person) Very serious, earnest, and deeply focused
（指人）认真专注的，热切的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedin- (toward, very much) + tens (stretched form of tend) = "stretched tight." Picture a rope or a nerve pulled to its limit: that strained tautness is what "intense" describes. Intense heat, intense focus, an intense person — all carry the sense of something stretched to a high pitch.
Root tend still carries 40 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.intense heat酷热
- 2.intense pressure巨大压力
- 3.intense focus高度专注
- 4.intense pain剧痛
Example Sentences
- 1.
The summer brought weeks of intense heat.
- 2.
She gave the problem her most intense concentration.
- 3.
He's a very intense person who takes everything seriously.
Easily Confused
intense vs intensive — intense describes the strength of something felt (intense heat, intense emotion). intensive describes effort concentrated over a short period (intensive course, intensive care). Rule of thumb: a feeling or sensation is intense; a planned, concentrated activity is intensive.