We hear it all the time, don't we? "That movie was intense." "The competition was intense." "My workout was intense." It's a word we toss around so casually, but what does it really mean when something is described as intense?
Think about it. When we say the sound effects in a thriller movie are intense, we're not talking about them being soft or weak. We're talking about them being powerful, maybe even overwhelming. They grab your attention, they make your heart pound, they contribute to that feeling of suspense and excitement. The reference material points this out quite clearly: intense often means strong or powerful.
It's not just about volume or physical force, though. Sometimes, intensity is about focus and concentration. Imagine a student poring over a difficult problem, their brow furrowed, completely absorbed. That focus can be described as intense. The reference material touches on this too, mentioning a situation where "the focus becomes a little bit too intense." Here, it's not about loudness, but about a heightened state of mental engagement, perhaps bordering on overwhelming.
So, when you encounter the word "intense," it's helpful to consider the context. Is it describing a physical sensation, like a strong flavor or a loud noise? Or is it referring to an emotional or mental state, like a deep concentration or a powerful feeling? In essence, "intense" points to something that is significantly strong, powerful, or concentrated, often to a degree that commands attention or evokes a strong reaction.
It’s that feeling of something being dialed up, not just a little bit, but significantly. It’s the opposite of mild, lukewarm, or understated. It’s the feeling that something is truly there, making its presence known in a significant way.