extreme

UK: /ɪkˈstriːm/ US: /ɪkˈstrim/ ,(ik strēm′)

Inflections of 'extreme' (adj):

extremer

adj comparative

extremest

adj superlative

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.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

extreme / ɪkˈstriːm/ adjective

1. being of a high or of the highest degree or intensity
2. exceeding what is usual or reasonable; immoderate
3. very strict, rigid, or severe; drastic
4. (prenominal) farthest or outermost in direction

noun

1. the highest or furthest degree (often in the phrases in the extreme, go to extremes)
2. (often plural) either of the two limits or ends of a scale or range of possibilities

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin extrēmus outermost, from exterus on the outside; see exterior

exˈtremeness noun