intensity

IPA/ɪnˈtensəti/
KK[ɪntˈɛnsəti]IPA/ɪnˈtensəti/

intensity — noun

  • intensitysingular
  • intensitiesplural

1. how strongly a feeling, experience, or quality is felt or noticed by someone

1.nounB2
Definition

how strongly a feeling, experience, or quality is felt or noticed by someone

Example

The intensity of the heat from the oven made Élise step back quickly.

intensity of + [physical sensation]

Amani was surprised by the intensity of her feelings when she saw the old house.

intensity of [emotion/feeling]

Common collocations
  • emotional intensity
  • pain intensity
  • intensity of feeling
  • surprising intensity
  • growing intensity
Synonyms
  • strength

    broader term; works for both physical and emotional contexts

  • force

    suggests active pushing power rather than internal feeling

  • depth

    focuses on how profound rather than how sharp something is felt

Antonyms
  • mildness

    gentle or low level of feeling or effect

Common Mistakes

The intensity of the light was too strong' (confusing with sense 2).
The intensity of her anger surprised everyone.
use sense 1 for emotions and feelings; sense 2 is for measurable physical quantities.

2. the measurable degree or amount of a physical phenomenon — for example, light, s

2.nounB2
Definition

the measurable degree or amount of a physical phenomenon — for example, light, sound, heat, or force

Example

Sora turned down the intensity of the desk lamp so the room would be darker.

adjustable intensity of [device]

Scientists measure the intensity of earthquakes on a special scale.

measure + intensity + of + [natural phenomenon]

Common collocations
  • light intensity
  • sound intensity
  • signal intensity
  • high / low intensity
  • maximum intensity
  • intensity level
Synonyms
  • strength

    common everyday alternative; less technical

  • magnitude

    more formal; often used in science for scale or size

  • power

    focuses on energy output rather than degree

Antonyms

Usage Note

Often used in scientific and technical writing to refer to the measurable level of physical phenomena such as light, sound, or radiation.

Common Mistakes

The intensity of my headache kept me awake' (sense 1 meaning).
The intensity of the radio signal faded as we drove into the tunnel.
sense 2 is used for measurable physical quantities, not subjective feelings.

3. a state of extreme seriousness accompanied by deep emotion, often displayed when

3.nounB2
Definition

a state of extreme seriousness accompanied by deep emotion, often displayed when someone expresses strong opinions or joins a lively debate

Example

The intensity in Talia's voice told everyone she was not joking.

intensity in [someone's] voice / expression

Imran argued his point with such intensity that no one dared to interrupt him.

with + intensity (manner)

Common collocations
  • speak with intensity
  • voice full of intensity
  • intensity of debate
  • intensity of purpose
  • emotional intensity
Synonyms
  • passion

    emphasises strong positive emotion rather than seriousness

  • earnestness

    highlights sincerity and serious intention

  • fervour

    suggests heated, enthusiastic emotion; slightly more intense

Antonyms
  • apathy

    lack of interest or emotion

Usage Note

This sense typically describes a person's manner or expression rather than an objective measurement. Frequently appears with verbs of speaking (argue, speak, debate).

Common Mistakes

The intensity of the light was set to maximum' (sense 2).
The intensity of her gaze made me feel uncomfortable.
sense 3 refers to a person's serious, emotional manner, not physical brightness.

4. the purity and vividness of a colour, shown by how little white or grey it conta

4.nounC1
Definition

the purity and vividness of a colour, shown by how little white or grey it contains

Example

The artist increased the intensity of the blue by adding more pure pigment.

colour intensity + technical use in art

You can adjust the colour intensity of any area in a photo using editing software.

Common collocations
  • colour intensity
  • high / low intensity
  • intensity of pigment
  • adjust the intensity
Synonyms
  • saturation

    the standard technical term; intensity is less formal

  • vividness

    focuses on the bright, striking quality rather than purity

  • chroma

    specialist term used in colour science

Antonyms
  • dullness

    lack of colour purity; grey or washed-out appearance

Usage Note

In art and photography, intensity is used interchangeably with 'saturation'. A colour with full intensity has no grey mixed in.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All these words describe how much something affects you, but they differ in focus. Intensity emphasises how strongly a feeling or quality is experienced — it is subjective and personal: 'the intensity of her anger surprised me.' Strength is broader, used for both physical and emotional contexts: you can speak of the strength of a rope or the strength of an argument. Force suggests active power pushing against something, as in the force of the wind. Power refers to the ability to produce an effect, often linked to control or authority — 'engine power' or 'political power.' Depth is for emotions and ideas, focusing on how profound rather than how sharp something is: 'the depth of his grief showed in his eyes.' When choosing between these words for feelings, pick intensity to highlight how sharply something is felt, and depth to stress how much it matters to someone.

intensity ↗strength ↗force ↗power ↗depth ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • with great intensity
  • at full intensity
  • increase in intensity
  • gain intensity

Prepositions

  • at ... intensity
  • with intensity
  • of intensity
  • in intensity

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Intensity comes from Latin 'intensus', meaning 'stretched tightly' or 'strained'. The word entered English through French 'intensité' in the 1600s. Originally it described a state of being stretched tight, then came to refer to any strong quality or degree. The scientific sense of measurable strength (for light, sound, and force) developed during the advances of the 1700s and 1800s.