INTENSIFIER

Pronunciation (US): (GB):

Meaning:

A modifier that has little meaning except to intensify the meaning it modifies

Example:

'honestly' in 'I honestly don't know' is an intensifier

Synonyms:

intensifier; intensive

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("intensifier" is a kind of...):

modifier; qualifier (a content word that qualifies the meaning of a noun or verb)

Domain member usage:

precious; preciously; goddam; goddamn; goddamned (extremely)

candidly; frankly; honestly ((used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that)

just; simply ((used for emphasis) absolutely)

ever; ever so ((intensifier for adjectives) very)

positively (extremely)

such (to so extreme a degree)

so (to a very great extent or degree)

most (very)

literally ((intensifier before a figurative expression) without exaggeration)

downright (thoroughgoing)

deadly; deucedly; devilishly; insanely; madly ((used as intensives) extremely)

in truth; really; truly (in fact (used as intensifiers or sentence modifiers))

mightily; mighty; powerful; right ((Southern regional intensive) very; to a great degree)

well ((used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully)

every last ((used as intensive) every)

living ((informal) absolute)

Derivation:

intensify (make more intense, stronger, or more marked)