/ ɪnˈtens; NAmE / adjective
1.
very great; very strong
SYN extreme :
intense heat / cold / pain
The President is under intense pressure to resign.
the intense blue of her eyes
intense interest / pleasure / desire / anger
2.
serious and often involving a lot of action in a short period of time :
intense competition
It was a period of intense activity.
3.
( of a person ) having or showing very strong feelings, opinions or thoughts about sb/sth :
an intense look
He's very intense about everything.
—compare intensive
► in·tense·ly adverb :
She disliked him intensely.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French , or from Latin intensus stretched tightly, strained, past participle of intendere intend, extend, direct, from in- towards + tendere stretch, tend.