Exhaustive Meaning
/ɪɡˈzɔːstɪv/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjIncluding every possible element: fully comprehensive.
adjCausing exhaustion; very tiring.
Sentence Examples
The police undertook exhaustive searches but failed to find the body.
This list is not exhaustive.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The detective conducted an ____ search of the entire house for clues.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The researchers conducted an ____ search for all possible literature on the subject.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁éǵʰ Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *h₁éǵʰs Proto-Italic *eks Latin ex Latin ex- Proto-Indo-European *h₂ews- Proto-Indo-European *h₂ews-ye-tider. Proto-Italic *auzjō Latin hauriō Latin exhauriō Latin exhaustus Proto-Indo-European *-wós Proto-Indo-European *-iHwósder. Latin -īvus Medieval Latin exhaustīvusbor. English exhaustive Borrowed from Medieval Latin exhaustīvus. By surface analysis, exhaust + -ive.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Wolsey saw in what imminent peril the revenues of the Church were from the exhaustive squandering and grasping covetousness of the Court."
— 1878, John Henry Blunt, The Reformation of the Church of England: A. D. 1514-1547, page 98:
"Chopping and hauling wood was exhaustive work. Scraping the flesh off the heavy hides and hanging them to dry also taxed her physical strength."
— 2013, Gloria Linkey, Native American Women: Three Who Changed History:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The detective conducted an ____ search of the entire house for clues.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The researchers conducted an ____ search for all possible literature on the subject.