Extensively
/ɪkˈstɛnsɪvli/
Definitions
To a considerable degree or amount; far and wide.
/ɪkˈstɛnsɪvli/
To a great extent; widely or thoroughly.
The library is extensively used by students every day.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're making a really big cake. To make it, you'd need to use ingredients extensively, meaning you use a lot of them and spread them out evenly in the cake, so every bite tastes good!
👶 For kids: Meaning doing something a whole lot, like reading a book extensively means you read a lot of it!
More Examples
The government conducted the survey extensively, covering a large number of people.
The company has invested extensively in research and development.
How It's Used
"The company researched the market extensively before launching its new product."
"Scientists studied the effects of the treatment extensively."
"The author revised the manuscript extensively, adding new chapters and characters."
Idioms & expressions
extensive damage
significant and widespread damage
"The hurricane caused extensive damage to the coastal areas."
extensive reading
reading many texts for enjoyment and general understanding.
"Extensive reading is often used to improve language skills."
extensive research
thorough and in-depth investigation or study.
"The team conducted extensive research before starting the project."
From 'extensive', derived from Latin 'extensus' (stretched out, extended) from 'extendere' (to stretch out). The suffix '-ly' indicates an adverb.
Used since the mid-18th century, originally to describe things that have an extended range or scope. Its adverbial form, extensively, developed in parallel with the adjective.
Memory tip
Think of stretching something out very far. Extensive things are spread out and cover a large area.