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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Intense: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：extremely strong (intense)

intense 🔊

/ɪnˈtɛns/

adj.

Something that is very strong, powerful, or extreme, like a bright light or sharp pain.

Intense heat illustrated by a blazing sun over a desert with visible heat waves.

extremely strong 🔊

➕

/ɪkˈstriːmli strɒŋ/

adj.

Describes something that is very powerful, extreme, or forceful, often in a physical sense.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Derived from Latin 'intensus', meaning 'stretched tight', from 'intendere' (to stretch).

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'in tension' for situations of high stress or extreme concentration.

📖 Example

The intense midday sun made it difficult to walk outside without sunglasses. 🔊 The midday sun was so strong that it was hard to walk outside without sunglasses.

🔗 Collocations

intense heat – very high temperature

intense light – extremely bright illumination

intense pain – very sharp and severe discomfort

🔄 Synonyms

powerful (adj.) – having great strength or intensity

extreme (adj.) – reaching a high degree; very great

severe (adj.) – very intense or harsh

🚫 Antonyms

mild (adj.) – gentle and not extreme

weak (adj.) – lacking strength or force

🌱 Derivatives

intensity (n.) – the quality of being intense

intensely (adv.) – in an intense manner

📖 Cultural Story

Intense originates from Latin 'intensus', the past participle of 'intendere' (to stretch). This reflects the idea of tension, evolving in English to describe extreme strength or deep focus.

Meaning 2：highly focused (intense)

intense 🔊

/ɪnˈtɛns/

adj.

A person who is very focused, serious, and fully involved in what they are doing.

Intense focus shown in a close-up portrait of a concentrated athlete's determined expression.

highly focused 🔊

➕

/ˈhaɪli ˈfoʊkəst/

adj.

Describes a person who is very serious, concentrated, and fully engaged in an activity.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

You could see the intense look in her eyes as she prepared for the final shot of the game. 🔊 Her eyes showed deep concentration as she got ready for the game's final shot.

🔗 Collocations

intense concentration – very deep and focused attention

intense stare – a very serious and fixed look

intense effort – great and concentrated exertion

🔄 Synonyms

concentrated (adj.) – wholly directed to one thing; focused

serious (adj.) – solemn and thoughtful in manner

engaged (adj.) – busy or involved in an activity

🚫 Antonyms

distracted (adj.) – unable to concentrate because one's attention is drawn elsewhere

casual (adj.) – relaxed and unconcerned

🌱 Derivatives

intensity (n.) – the quality of being intense

intensely (adv.) – in an intense manner