Reading Theme:
Extensive: Meaning, Usage, and Common Mistakes (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：covering a large area (extensive)
extensive
/ɪkˈstɛnsɪv/
adj.
Covers a lot of ground, like a giant park or a huge farm.
covering a large area
➕
/ˈkʌvərɪŋ ə lɑːrdʒ ˈɛriə/
adj.
This meaning refers to something that covers a large physical space, such as a meadow, park, or farm.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'extensus' (ex- 'out' + tendere 'to stretch'), meaning 'stretched out'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think 'extend' + 'sive' — imagine stretching a map to see a huge area.
📖 Example
After the hike, we rested in an extensive meadow full of wildflowers.
After the hike, we rested in an extensive meadow full of wildflowers.
🔗 Collocations
extensive garden – a garden that covers a large area
extensive grounds – a large area of land around a building
extensive landscape – a wide view of land stretching far
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
extensively (adv.) – in a way that covers a large area or range
extensiveness (n.) – the quality of being extensive
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'extendere' (ex- 'out' + tendere 'to stretch'), meaning 'stretched out'. In English, it expanded to describe vast areas or thorough coverage, common in academic and legal settings.
Meaning 2：comprehensive or thorough (extensive)
extensive
/ɪkˈstɛnsɪv/
adj.
Has a lot of details or covers many parts of a subject, like a long report or deep knowledge.
comprehensive or thorough
➕
/ˌkɑːmprɪˈhɛnsɪv ɔːr ˈθɜːroʊ/
adj.
This meaning refers to covering many details or aspects of a subject, indicating deep or wide-ranging knowledge.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Our professor has extensive knowledge about European history and can talk for hours.
Our professor has extensive knowledge about European history and can talk for hours.
🔗 Collocations
extensive research – research that covers many aspects or a large amount of data
extensive experience – a long and broad range of experience
extensive knowledge – deep and wide-ranging understanding of a topic
🔄 Synonyms
comprehensive (adj.) – including all or nearly all elements or aspects
thorough (adj.) – complete with regard to every detail
exhaustive (adj.) – covering every possible detail
🚫 Antonyms
limited (adj.) – restricted in scope or amount
superficial (adj.) – not thorough or deep
narrow (adj.) – limited in range or scope
🌱 Derivatives
extensively (adv.) – in a thorough or wide-ranging manner
extensiveness (n.) – the quality of being thorough or comprehensive
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