/ɪkˈstɛnsɪv/
extensive is pronounced /ɪkˈstɛnsɪv/. Extensive describes something covering a large area, amount, or scope; thorough or wide-ranging in extent. It conveys comprehensiveness and breadth, often implying substantial quantity or duration. In use, it signals that many details or parts are included or considered.
Say it backExtensive describes something covering a large area, amount, or scope; thorough or wide-ranging in extent. It conveys comprehensiveness and breadth, often implying substantial quantity or duration. In use, it signals that many details or parts are included or considered.
"The project received extensive funding and support from multiple donors."
"Her extensive travels gave her a deep understanding of cultural differences."
"They conducted extensive research before publishing the results."
Pronounce it as /ɪkˈsten.sɪv/ in US/UK/AU. The stress is on the second syllable: ex-TEN-sive. Start with a light /ɪ/ or schwa-like vowel, then a crisp /k/ before /ˈsten/. The second syllable uses /ˈsten/ with a clear /e/ as in ‘ten,’ followed by /sɪv/ where the /ɪ/ is short and the final /v/ is voiced. A quick reference: ihk-STEN-siv.
Common errors include stressing the wrong syllable (ex-TEN-sive vs exten-SIVE), softening or mispronouncing the /t/ after the /sten/ cluster (pronouncing it as /stən/ or /sten.zɪv/ instead of /sten.sɪv/), and truncating the final /v/ sound. To correct: keep the secondary stress minimal, articulate the /t/ clearly with a short burst, and end with a voiced /v/ rather than a stop. Practice saying ihk-STEN-siv slowly, then speed up while maintaining the /ˈsten/ cluster.
In US, UK, and AU, the core pronunciation is /ɪkˈsten.sɪv/. The rhotics are pronounced in US speakers so the /ɹ/ is not present in this word unless followed by a vowel; still, the word begins with a light /ɪ/ or /ɪk/ leading into /ˈsten/. UK and AU often retain non-rhoticity for following syllables; the /v/ at the end remains voiced. The vowel quality in the first syllable can be slightly closer to /i/ in some varieties, but the stressed second syllable remains /ˈsten/. Overall, differences are subtle: US may have a slightly tenser /e/ in /sten/ and AU mirrors UK closely.
The difficulty lies in the consonant cluster /kst/ following the initial /ɪk/ and the rapid transition into the stressed syllable /ˈsten/. Learners often misplace stress, producing ex-TEN-sive with poor vowel clarity, or replace /t/ with a flap or softened /d/ in rapid speech. Another challenge is maintaining the final /v/ after /sɪv/, since English often reduces endings; keeping the voiced labiodental fricative /v/ crisp helps the word sound natural. Focus on sustaining a clear /k/ and /t/ sequence before /ˈsten/.
Is there a silent letter in 'extensive'? No, all letters contribute to the pronunciation. The tricky element is the stress pattern and the two-syllable flow within the word: ex-TEN-sive. The letter 'e' at the end is pronounced as /ɪv/ with a voiced /v/. Recognize the double consonant sequence /nst/ and keep /ɡ/ sound? There is no silent letter here; every segment contributes to the overall rhythm and meaning.
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Extensive comes from the late Latin extensus, past participle of extendere, meaning to stretch out or spread. The Latin extendere is formed from ex- (out, thoroughly) + tendere (to stretch). In English, extensive first appeared in the 15th century, originally describing something stretched out in space or time. Over time, the sense broadened to denote breadth or scope as in extensive knowledge or an extensive system. The word maintained its core metaphor of expansion—larger reach, wider coverage—while adopting figurative meanings such as extensive implications or extensive damage. The modern sense of “thorough or comprehensive” consolidates this spatial metaphor into abstract domains like research, coverage, or influence. First known uses appear in scholarly writing and legal contexts where describing broad-sweeping measures or large-scale phenomena became common, aligning with the word’s literal sense of something that has been stretched across many aspects or dimensions.
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Help others use "extensive" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "extensive" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "extensive" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "extensive"
-ive sounds
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