extremely

UK: /ɪkˈstriːmli/ US: (ik strēm′lē)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ex•treme•ly  (ik strēm′lē), adv. 

1. in an extreme degree;
   exceedingly:
   extremely cold.

• extreme + -ly 1525–35

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

extremely / ɪkˈstriːmlɪ/ adverb

1. to the extreme; exceedingly
2. (intensifier): I behaved extremely badly

USAGE
In strict usage adverbs of degree such as extremely, too, quite, really, and very are used only to qualify adjectives: he is very happy; she is extremely sad. By this rule, these words should not be used to qualify past participles that follow the verb to be, since they would then be technically qualifying verbs. With the exception of certain participles, such as tired or disappointed, that have come to be regarded as adjectives, all other past participles are qualified by adverbs such as much, greatly, seriously, or excessively: he has been much (not extremely) inconvenienced; she has been excessively (not too) criticized

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ex•treme /ɪkˈstrim/   adj., -trem•er, -trem•est, n. 
adj. 

1. going beyond the ordinary or average:
   extreme cold.
2. [before a noun] exceedingly great in degree or intensity:
   extreme joy.
3. farthest from the center or middle:
   [before a noun] the extreme limit of the city.
4. immoderate;
   radical:
   the extreme right wing of the party.
5. last;
   final:
   extreme hopes.

n. [countable]

6. one of two things that are as different from each other as possible:
   torn between the extremes of joy and grief.

ex•treme•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ex•treme  (ik strēm′), adj., -trem•er, -trem•est, n. 
adj. 

1. of a character or kind farthest removed from the ordinary or average:
   extreme measures.
2. utmost or exceedingly great in degree:
   extreme joy.
3. farthest from the center or middle;
   outermost;
   endmost:
   the extreme limits of a town.
4. farthest, utmost, or very far in any direction:
   an object at the extreme point of vision.
5. exceeding the bounds of moderation:
   extreme fashions.
6. going to the utmost or very great lengths in action, habit, opinion, etc.:
   an extreme conservative.
7. last or final:
   extreme hopes.
8. [Chiefly Sports.] extremely dangerous or difficult:
   extreme skiing.

n. 

9. the utmost or highest degree, or a very high degree:
   cautious to an extreme.
10. one of two things as remote or different from each other as possible:
    the extremes of joy and grief.
11. the furthest or utmost length;
    an excessive length, beyond the ordinary or average:
    extremes in dress.
12. an extreme act, measure, condition, etc.:
    the extreme of poverty.
13. Mathematics
    • the first or the last term, as of a proportion or series.
    • a relative maximum or relative minimum value of a function in a given region.
14. Philosophy [Logic.] the subject or the predicate of the conclusion of a syllogism;
    either of two terms that are separated in the premises and brought together in the conclusion.
15. [Archaic.] the utmost point, or extremity, of something.

• Latin extrēmus, superlative of exterus outward. See exterior
• late Middle English 1425–75

ex•treme′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. greatest, highest; superlative.
• 3. ultimate, last, uttermost, remotest.
• 6. extravagant, immoderate, excessive, fanatical, uncompromising, unreasonable. See radical. 

Antonyms

• 6. moderate.

extreme, +adj. 

1. Sport [Chiefly Sports.] extremely dangerous or difficult:
   extreme skiing.