intensity
C1Formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
The quality of being very strong, concentrated, or forceful; the degree of strength, power, or concentration of something.
Extreme degree of emotional or mental concentration, effort, or feeling; also, the amount of energy or power per unit area in physics (e.g., light, sound).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun. Often refers to a measurable or perceived degree of a quality (light, sound, emotion, activity). In physics, it has a precise quantitative definition. In everyday use, it often implies an extreme or exceptional degree.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Slightly more frequent in academic/scientific contexts in both varieties. In everyday language, equally associated with emotion, effort, and sensory experience.
Frequency
Similar high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] + intensity (e.g., increase, reduce, measure, maintain)intensity + [preposition] (e.g., of the light, of her gaze, in his voice)[adjective] + intensity (e.g., high, low, emotional)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"Turn up the intensity" (increase effort/force)”
- “"A moment of high intensity" (a very tense or concentrated moment)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to market competition, workload, or focus of effort (e.g., 'The intensity of the marketing campaign drove results').
Academic
Used in physics, psychology, and social sciences to denote measurable degrees (e.g., 'The intensity of the stimulus was calibrated').
Everyday
Commonly describes feelings, weather, exercise, or colours (e.g., 'The intensity of his anger was frightening').
Technical
A precise physical quantity (e.g., 'luminous intensity' measured in candelas).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The winds are expected to intensity overnight.
- We must not allow tensions to intensity further.
American English
- The storm is predicted to intensity rapidly.
- Exercises like these intensity the workout.
adverb
British English
- She listened intently to every word.
- He stared intensely at the screen.
American English
- They trained intensively for the event.
- The sun shone intensely.
adjective
British English
- The negotiatons were intense.
- She has an intense gaze.
American English
- The competition was really intense.
- He's taking an intensive language course.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The light's intensity was too bright.
- She spoke with great intensity.
- The intensity of the sun made us seek shade.
- You can adjust the intensity of the workout on this machine.
- The emotional intensity of the film's climax left the audience speechless.
- Scientists measured the intensity of the earthquake's tremors.
- The sheer intensity of his focus rendered him oblivious to all distractions.
- A key variable in the experiment was the intensity of the auditory stimulus.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a TENNIS match played with great INTENT. The 'intent' + 'tennis' (sounds like 'tense') gives you INTENSITY – a focused, strong, and tense effort.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTENSITY IS HEAT/PRESSURE (e.g., 'the debate heated up', 'under intense pressure'), INTENSITY IS A PEAK/HEIGHT (e.g., 'reached a peak intensity').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'напряжённость' (tension/strain) which is more about psychological strain. 'Intensity' is about degree of force/power.
- The adjective 'intensive' (интенсивный) is related, but 'intensity' is the noun.
- Avoid using 'сила' (strength/force) as a direct translation in all contexts, as 'intensity' is more specific to degree or concentration.
Common Mistakes
- Using as an adjective (e.g., 'He was intensity' ❌ -> 'He was intense' ✅).
- Confusing 'intensity' with 'intention'.
- Misspelling as 'intencity'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'intensity' used in its TECHNICAL sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While often used for strong emotions (positive or negative), it applies neutrally to any measurable degree, like light intensity, workout intensity, or concentration.
'Strength' often refers to inherent power or ability (e.g., physical strength). 'Intensity' refers to the degree or concentration of a force, quality, or activity at a specific time. A light can have low strength (dimmable) but high intensity at its brightest setting.
The word 'intensity' itself is a noun. The related verb is 'intensify' (to become or make more intense).
Not necessarily. 'High-intensity interval training' (HIIT) is a positive, effective workout. 'High-intensity conflict' or 'high-intensity pain' are negative. It describes the degree, not the value.