French word

intensifier

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛ̃tɑ̃sifje/

Meaning

  • verbincrease

Example

Ils ont intensifié le volume de la musique pendant la fête.

They increased the volume of the music during the party.

Illustration for intensifier (increase)

More examples

Les athlètes ont intensifié leur entraînement avant la compétition.

The athletes intensified their training before the competition.

Core concept

A dial moving higher while the force of a sound, feeling, or tension increases.

Common phrases

  • intensifier les efforts

    intensify efforts

  • intensifier la pression

    intensify the pressure

  • intensifier le rythme

    intensify the pace

Similar words

augmenter: To increase an amount or degree and make it larger.
renforcer: To make a force, influence, or effect stronger.
accentuer: To make a feature or point more noticeable.
amplifier: To increase the strength of a sound or effect.

Definition in French

Augmenter la force, l'intensité ou la portée d'une chose, en particulier pour des sons, des sentiments ou des tensions.

Word origin

French created intensifier from the adjective intensif and the verbal ending -ifier, a formation ultimately connected with Latin intensus and intensificare.

Usage tips

  • Intensifier is more formal than everyday augmenter or rendre plus fort in many contexts, especially in reports and academic writing.

Other meanings

  • strengthenverb
  • heightenverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word