intense

UK: /ɪnˈtɛns/ US: /ɪnˈtɛns/ ,(in tens′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•tense /ɪnˈtɛns/   adj. 

1. occurring in a high degree:
   a wall of intense heat from the blazing building.
2. strong in feeling or emotion;
   ardent:
   an intense dislike for each other.
3. concentrated and strenuous:
   intense thought.
4. showing seriousness, strong feeling, or tension:
   He's very intense during interviews.

in•tense•ly, adv. See -tend-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•tense  (in tens′), adj. 

1. existing or occurring in a high or extreme degree:
   intense heat.
2. acute, strong, or vehement, as sensations, feelings, or emotions:
   intense anger.
3. of an extreme kind;
   very great, as in strength, keenness, severity, or the like:
   an intense gale.
4. having a characteristic quality in a high degree:
   The intense sunlight was blinding.
5. strenuous or earnest, as activity, exertion, diligence, or thought:
   an intense life.
6. exhibiting a high degree of some quality or action.
7. having or showing great strength, strong feeling, or tension, as a person, the face, or language.
8. susceptible to strong emotion;
   emotional:
   an intense person.
9. (of color) very deep:
   intense red.
10. [Photog.] dense (def. 4).

• Latin intēnsus, variant of intentus intent², past participle of intendere to intend. See in-², tense¹
• Middle English 1350–1400

in•tense′ly, adv. 
in•tense′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. fervent, passionate, ardent, strong.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

intense / ɪnˈtɛns/ adjective

1. of extreme force, strength, degree, or amount: intense heat
2. characterized by deep or forceful feelings: an intense person

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin intensus stretched, from intendere to stretch out; see intend

inˈtensely adverb

inˈtenseness noun

USAGE
Intense is sometimes wrongly used where intensive is meant: the land is under intensive (not intense) cultivation. Intensely is sometimes wrongly used where intently is meant: he listened intently (not intensely)