extremely
extremely
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "extremely" is /ɪkˈstriːm.li/.
ex: /ɪk/
treme: /ˈstriːm/
ly: /li/
Word Form Variations
Adverb: extremely
Adjective: extreme
Noun: extreme (singular), extremes (plural)
Verb: extremize (base form), extremizes (third person singular present), extremized (past tense, past participle), extremizing (present participle)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
Extremely
To a very great degree; very much so.
Synonyms: very, exceedingly, exceptionally, immensely, intensely, highly
Antonyms: slightly, barely, moderately, hardly, negligibly
Adjective
Extreme
Reaching a very high or the highest degree; very great.
Synonyms: intense, severe, acute, profound, extraordinary, ultimate
Antonyms: mild, moderate, slight, gentle, negligible
Of a kind or degree that is far from the average or ordinary; radical or drastic.
Synonyms: radical, drastic, severe, outlandish, unconventional, unconventional
Antonyms: conventional, ordinary, common, traditional, conservative
Noun
Extreme
The furthest point or degree of something; either of two opposite conditions or qualities.
Synonyms: limit, boundary, peak, zenith, nadir, opposite
Antonyms: middle, average, median, center
A severe or unusual condition or state.
Synonyms: intensity, severity, harshness, radicalism
Antonyms: moderation, mildness, balance
Verb
Extremize
To carry to an extreme; to push to the furthest limit or degree.
Synonyms: maximize, intensify, push, stretch, exaggerate
Antonyms: minimize, moderate, lessen, diminish
Examples of Use
Books
Non-fiction: Authors use "extremely" to underscore significance. A history book might state, "The battle was extremely costly for both sides" (Penguin Press, September 2023). A scientific text could describe a process as "an extremely complex biological mechanism."
Fiction: Characters might experience or describe something as "extremely" intense. "She was extremely nervous before the presentation." A landscape might be depicted as "extremely beautiful."
Newspapers
News Articles: Journalists often use "extremely" to highlight the severity or importance of an event. "The weather conditions were extremely dangerous, leading to widespread power outages" (The Associated Press, December 2024). A financial report might note that "market volatility remains extremely high."
Feature Stories: A profile piece might describe an individual as "extremely talented" or "extremely dedicated to their craft."
Online Publications
Blogs and Reviews: Product reviews frequently use "extremely" to praise or critique. "This new laptop is extremely fast for gaming" (TechRadar, March 2025). Food blogs might describe a dish as "extremely delicious and easy to make."
Forums and Social Media: Users commonly use "extremely" for emphasis in casual discourse. "I'm extremely excited for the concert!" or "That's an extremely helpful tip."
Educational Content: Online tutorials might say, "This step is extremely important for the successful completion of the experiment."
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Movies/TV Shows: Dialogue often includes "extremely" to convey strong emotions or descriptions. A character might say, "That was an extremely close call," or describe a villain as "extremely cunning."
Video Games: Game reviews might describe graphics as "extremely realistic" or gameplay as "extremely challenging." Character attributes might be listed as "extremely high defense."
Music: Song lyrics can use "extremely" to intensify feelings. "I'm extremely grateful for your love."
Podcasts: Hosts or guests often use "extremely" to stress a point or an experience. "It was an extremely interesting discussion on quantum physics."
General Public Discourse
Conversations: People use "extremely" in everyday speech to add emphasis. "The traffic was extremely bad this morning." "I'm extremely tired after that long day."
Workplace Discussions: In meetings, someone might say, "This is an extremely critical component of the project."
Customer Service: A customer might express that they are "extremely satisfied" or "extremely disappointed" with a service.
Academic Discussions: In presentations or debates, participants might state, "This evidence is extremely compelling."
10 Quotes Using Extremely
"Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate." (Sun Tzu)
"There are three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and to know one's self." (Benjamin Franklin)
"Properly used, positive reinforcement is extremely powerful." (B. F. Skinner)
"Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor." (James Baldwin)
"I don't run a car, have never run a car. I could say that this is because I have this extremely tender environmentalist conscience, but the fact is I hate driving." (David Attenborough)
"My life, the most truthful one, is unrecognizable, extremely interior, and there is no single word that gives it meaning." (Clarice Lispector)
"You might not think that programmers are artists, but programming is an extremely creative profession. It's logic-based creativity." (John Romero)
"Country music fans are extremely supportive. Once they're with you, they're with you for life." (Faith Hill)
"Economics is extremely useful as a form of employment for economists." (John Kenneth Galbraith)
"Early morning cheerfulness can be extremely obnoxious." (William Feather)
Etymology
The word "extremely" comes from the Latin word "extremus," which means "outermost," "most remote," or "last." It's the superlative form of "exter" (outer).
The first known use of "extremely" in English, with the meaning of "to the utmost degree; very greatly," dates back to the early 15th century. It appeared in texts to emphasize that something was at its highest point or at the very limit, building on that original sense of being at the "extreme" or "outermost" edge.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Extremely
Extremely well: To perform at a very high standard. "The team performed extremely well in the championship."
Extremely difficult: Very challenging. "Climbing Mount Everest is an extremely difficult feat."
Extremely rare: Very uncommon or scarce. "This artifact is extremely rare, found only once a century."
Extremely important: Of great significance. "Your safety is extremely important to us."
Extremely pleased: Very happy or satisfied. "She was extremely pleased with the results."
Extremely sensitive: Highly responsive to stimuli or easily affected. "The instrument is extremely sensitive to temperature changes."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of extremely from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
