Meaning & use
extremely
Last updated
UK/ɪkˈstriːmli/
US/ɪkˈstrimli/
Meaning
adverbnot comparable
To a very high degree; much more than usual.
Grammar: Comes before an adjective or adverb: extremely tired, extremely carefully.
Patterns
- extremely + adjective
- extremely + adverb
The soup was extremely hot, so I waited before eating.
She speaks extremely quickly when she is nervous.
We are extremely grateful for your help.
Common combinations
- extremely important
- It is extremely important to wash your hands.
- extremely difficult
- The final exam was extremely difficult.
- extremely likely
- Rain is extremely likely tomorrow.
- extremely rare
- This stamp is extremely rare.
- extremely well
- He plays the piano extremely well.
Synonyms and how they differ
- very
- Very is the plain, everyday intensifier, and extremely is a stronger step up.
- incredibly
- Incredibly adds a sense of amazement, while extremely just gives a high degree.
- exceptionally
- Exceptionally suggests far above the normal standard, and is often used about good qualities.
Opposites
slightlysomewhat
Word family
Commonly confused: extremely or extremly?
extremely vs extremly
This spelling is wrong; the correct word keeps the e before ly: extremely.
Practice
Which sentence uses extremely correctly?
Choose one answer.
Extremely modifies a gradable adjective such as cold. Unique is absolute, and extremely cannot directly modify verbs like likes or ran.
Make it your own
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