in ‧ tense W3 AC /ɪnˈtens/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ intensity ; adverb : ↑ intensely ; adjective : ↑ intense ]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: French ; Origin: Latin intensus , a past participle of intendere ; ⇨ ↑ intend ]
1 . having a very strong effect or felt very strongly:
Young people today are under intense pressure to succeed.
the intense heat of the desert
The pain was so intense I couldn’t sleep.
He took an intense interest in all religious matters.
a look of intense dislike
2 . intense activity is very serious, uses a lot of effort, and often involves doing a great deal in a very short time:
The job demands intense concentration.
At least 3000 people were killed in a week of intense fighting.
3 . someone who is intense is serious and has very strong feelings or opinions – used to show disapproval:
She’s a little too intense for me.
—intensely adverb :
He disliked Kate intensely.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ intense pressure
The Prime Minister is under intense pressure to call a general election.
▪ intense competition
There is intense competition for places on the course.
▪ intense heat
He could feel the intense heat of the Egyptian sun.
▪ intense cold
He was shivering with intense cold.
▪ intense pain
She felt an intense pain in her right shoulder.
▪ intense pleasure
Anne read the letter with intense pleasure.
▪ an intense desire
Fred felt an intense desire to punch Max in the face.
▪ an intense interest in something
The police are aware of the intense interest in the case.
▪ intense dislike
He had taken an intense dislike to Robert.
▪ intense activity
The opening of the restaurant was preceded by a period of intense activity.
▪ intense debate
Abortion has become the subject of intense debate.
▪ intense negotiations
The hostages were freed after intense negotiations.
▪ intense scrutiny (=being examined very carefully)
The mining industry is coming under intense scrutiny over its environmental record.
▪ intense speculation (=a lot of guessing about what may have happened)
After weeks of intense speculation, the actress announced that she was pregnant.
▪ intense opposition
Locals have voiced intense opposition to plans to expand the airport.
▪ intense feelings/emotion
Her lips trembled with intense emotion.