umfangreich

Umfangreich is a German adjective meaning extensive or comprehensive. It describes something that has broad scope, a large amount, or wide coverage, such as information, data sets, collections, or written works. The term emphasizes breadth rather than depth, indicating that a resource or body of content covers many aspects or items.

Etymology and usage notes: Umfangreich is formed from the noun Umfang, meaning circumference, extent, or range, with the suffix -reich meaning rich in or full of. The combination conveys the sense of being rich in extent or breadth. In everyday German, it is used attributively before a noun and inflected to match gender, number, and case: ein umfangreiches Buch, eine umfangreiche Sammlung, umfangreiche Daten. Predicative use is also common: Das Archiv ist umfangreich.

Nuance and synonyms: Umfangreich is often contrasted with terms that stress depth or detail. For emphasis on breadth or overall coverage, synonyms such as umfassend or breit gefächert are appropriate. For detailed treatment or length, ausführlich or gründlich might be preferred. The nuance is that umfangreich highlights quantity and scope rather than the depth of examination.

Translations and related forms: Common translations include extensive, comprehensive, and wide-ranging. The related noun form is Umfang (circumference or extent). Adverbs are typically conveyed with phrases like in großem Umfang (to a large extent) rather than a direct adverbial form of umfangreich.