Intense describes something that is very strong, extreme, or deeply felt. An intense storm has powerful winds and heavy rain. An intense workout pushes your body to work as hard as it can. An intense conversation might be serious and emotional, where people express strong feelings or discuss important matters.

The word captures a kind of concentrated power or focus that goes beyond ordinary strength. A sunny day can be pleasant, but intense sunlight is so bright it makes you squint. A friendship can be nice, but an intense friendship involves deep connection and strong emotions. An intense person approaches things with fierce concentration and passion, whether they're studying for a test, practicing an instrument, or competing in a sport.

Something intense often demands your full attention. An intense chess match means both players are thinking hard about every move. An intense book grabs your focus so completely that you forget about everything else while reading. The intensity of an experience, whether it's intense heat, intense joy, or intense concentration, means you feel it powerfully and can't ignore it.