extremely

extremely — adverb

1. used before an adjective or adverb to give it a very strong meaning, showing tha

1.adverbB1
Definition

used before an adjective or adverb to give it a very strong meaning, showing that the quality or action described is at a much higher level than usual

Example

The summer in Taipei was extremely hot, often reaching thirty-eight degrees.

collocation: extremely + hot (weather/temperature)

Yumi felt extremely nervous before her first piano recital.

pattern: feel + extremely + adjective (emotion)

Common collocations
  • extremely + adjective (important, difficult, hot, cold, happy, nervous, spicy)
  • extremely + adverb (carefully, quickly, well, slowly, strongly)
Synonyms
  • very

    the basic intensifier; weaker in strength and more neutral in register

  • incredibly

    adds a tone of surprise or disbelief; slightly more informal

  • exceptionally

    more formal; emphasises that something is unusual or outside the normal range

  • immensely

    emphasises great scale or degree; slightly more formal

Antonyms
  • slightly

    opposite end of the scale — to a small degree

  • barely

    almost not at all; the negative counterpart

Grammar Patterns

extremely + adjective

extremely + adverb

Usage Note

Stronger in intensity than 'very'. Commonly used with gradable adjectives (hot, important, difficult) and adverbs (carefully, quickly, well). Not typically used with superlative forms — for those, use 'by far' instead (e.g. 'by far the best', not 'extremely the best').

Common Mistakes

She felt extreme happy.
She felt extremely happy.
'Extreme' is an adjective and cannot modify another adjective; the adverb form 'extremely' is needed before adjectives.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four words intensify adjectives and adverbs, but they differ in strength and context. 'Very' is the neutral, everyday intensifier (A1-A2 level) — it adds emphasis without extra connotation. 'Extremely' is stronger and suggests the quality is near the top of the scale. 'Incredibly' adds a tone of surprise ('incredibly fast' suggests the speed was hard to believe), making it more suitable for informal or emotional contexts. 'Exceptionally' is more formal and implies the quality is outside the normal range, often in positive or professional descriptions ('exceptionally talented'). 'Immensely' focuses on size or magnitude ('immensely popular') and carries a slightly literary or formal feel. For everyday conversation, 'very' fits nearly everywhere. For a stronger impact without extra formality, use 'extremely'. For dramatic or emotional effect, choose 'incredibly'.

very ↗incredibly ↗exceptionally ↗immensely

Common collocations

Nouns

  • extremely + adjective (important, difficult, hot, cold, happy, nervous, useful, successful)
  • extremely + adverb (carefully, quickly, well, slowly, strongly, seriously)

Phrases

  • extremely unlikely
  • extremely rare
  • extremely valuable

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Comes from the Latin word 'extremus', meaning 'outermost' or 'farthest' — the superlative form of 'exter' (on the outside). It entered English through Old French in the 15th century, first as an adjective ('extreme'), and the adverb form 'extremely' developed soon after, meaning 'in the highest degree'.