extreme

[ ik-streem ]

adjective

, ex·trem·er, ex·trem·est.

1. of a character or kind farthest removed from the ordinary or average:

   extreme measures.

2. utmost or exceedingly great in degree:

   extreme joy.

   Synonyms: superlative

3. farthest from the center or middle; outermost; endmost:

   the extreme limits of a town.

   Synonyms: uttermost, last, ultimate

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.

   Synonyms: unreasonable, uncompromising, fanatical, excessive, immoderate, extravagant

   Antonyms: moderate

7. last or final:

   extreme hopes.

8. Chiefly Sports. very dangerous or difficult:

   extreme skiing.

noun

1. the utmost or highest degree, or a very high degree:

   cautious to an extreme.

2. one of two things as remote or different from each other as possible:

   the extremes of joy and grief.

3. the furthest or utmost length; an excessive length, beyond the ordinary or average:

   extremes in dress.

4. an extreme act, measure, condition, etc.:

   the extreme of poverty.

5. Mathematics.
   1. the first or the last term, as of a proportion or series.
   2. a relative maximum or relative minimum value of a function in a given region.
6. 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.
7. Archaic. the utmost point, or extremity, of something.

extreme

/ ɪkˈstriːm /

adjective

1. being of a high or of the highest degree or intensity

   extreme cold

   extreme difficulty

2. exceeding what is usual or reasonable; immoderate

   extreme behaviour

3. very strict, rigid, or severe; drastic

   an extreme measure

4. prenominal farthest or outermost in direction

   the extreme boundary

5. meteorol of, relating to, or characteristic of a continental climate

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

   extremes of temperature

3. maths
   1. the first or last term of a series or a proportion
   2. a maximum or minimum value of a function
4. logic the subject or predicate of the conclusion of a syllogism

Derived Forms

• exˈtremeness, noun

Other Words From

• ex·tremeness noun
• over·ex·treme adjective
• quasi-ex·treme adjective
• super·ex·treme adjective
• super·ex·tremely adverb
• super·ex·tremeness noun
• unex·treme adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of extreme¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin extrēmus “most outward,” superlative of exterus “outward”; exterior

Word History and Origins

Origin of extreme¹

C15: from Latin extrēmus outermost, from exterus on the outside; see exterior

Synonym Study

See radical.

Example Sentences

Investigators will focus on whether the sudden emergency was so extreme that no degree of pilot skill would have helped.

From The Daily Beast

He was part of an extreme, racialized white faction in the Louisiana state house that was clearly dead-set against honoring King.

From The Daily Beast

In the most extreme cases, it allows for the extrajudicial killing of black people without consequence.

From The Daily Beast

Nor should we ever assume that weather alone, however extreme, should be fatal to a commercial flight.

From The Daily Beast

No one likes it when their sandcastle is knocked over, but his reaction is a bit, err, extreme.

From The Daily Beast

Practise gliding in the form of inflection, or slide, from one extreme of pitch to another.

From Project Gutenberg

The controlling center of consciousness is the extreme limit of the nares anteri.

From Project Gutenberg

As a rule, however, even in the case of extreme varieties, a careful examination of the specimen will enable it to be identified.

From Project Gutenberg

Nothing but an extreme love of truth could have hindered me from concealing this part of my story.

From Project Gutenberg

It stands at one extreme of our currency, with a dollar of gold set aside behind each dollar of paper.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• depth
• excess
• height