1
Core quality
Covering a large area, range, amount, or degree.
Example
The storm caused extensive damage along the coast.
extensive
/ɪkˈstensɪv/ · ik-STEN-sivadjective
Covering a large area, range, amount, or degree.
Use extensive to express this relationship precisely: covering a large area, range, amount, or degree.
What extensive Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
The archive contains extensive records of trade.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
Researchers conducted extensive interviews across the region.
Use extensive Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The storm caused extensive damage along the coast.
The archive contains extensive records of trade.
Researchers conducted extensive interviews across the region.
Precision Matters
Extensive overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
extensive
vs.Means covering a large area, range, amount, or degree.
substantial
Means large or important in size, amount, extent, or significance.
extensive
vs.Means covering a large area, range, amount, or degree.
immense
Means extremely large or great in size, extent, degree, or importance.
extensive
vs.Means covering a large area, range, amount, or degree.
copious
Means abundant or plentiful in quantity.
extensive
vs.Means covering a large area, range, amount, or degree.
peripheral
Means situated at the edge or secondary to the main issue.
Test extensive in Context
The evidence covers a very large range and amount.
1
The conclusion rests on ___ evidence gathered from thousands of sites.