Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
Intense is used to describe something that is very great or extreme in strength or degree.
He was sweating from the intense heat...
His threats become more intense, agitated, and frequent.
ADJ
• intensely
The fast-food business is intensely competitive.
ADV
• intensity (intensities)
The attack was anticipated but its intensity came as a shock.
N-VAR: usu with poss
2.
If you describe an activity as intense, you mean that it is very serious and concentrated, and often involves doing a great deal in a short time.
The battle for third place was intense...
ADJ
3.
If you describe the way someone looks at you as intense, you mean that they look at you very directly and seem to know what you are thinking or feeling.
I felt so self-conscious under Luke's mother's intense gaze...
= piercing
ADJ
• intensely
He sipped his drink, staring intensely at me.
ADV: ADV with v
4.
If you describe a person as intense, you mean that they appear to concentrate very hard on everything that they do, and they feel and show their emotions in a very extreme way.
I know he's an intense player, but he does enjoy what he's doing...
ADJ
• intensity
His intensity and the ferocity of his feelings alarmed me.
N-UNCOUNT