extensive
UK: ɪkˈstɛnsɪv | US: ɪkˈstɛnsɪv
adj. covering a large area; wide in scope
adj. thorough or detailed in treatment
adj. (agriculture) involving large-scale farming with low inputs per unit area
The word "extensive" originates from the Latin extendere (to stretch out), combining ex- (out) and tendere (to stretch). The morpheme tens evolved from the Latin past participle tensus, retaining the core idea of "stretching." Over time, extensive shifted from literal physical stretching (e.g., land) to metaphorical breadth (e.g., knowledge or influence). The suffix -ive marks it as an adjective, a pattern common in Latin-derived English words (e.g., active, decisive).
The farm has extensive fields of wheat.
She conducted extensive research on climate change.
The damage from the storm was extensive.
His extensive network helped him secure the job.
The museum offers an extensive collection of modern art.