extremity

American  

[ik-strem-i-tee] / ɪkˈstrɛm ɪ ti /

noun

extremities plural

1. the extreme or terminal point, limit, or part of something.

   Synonyms:

   boundary, border, verge, termination, end

2. a limb of the body.

3. Usually extremities. the end part of a limb, as a hand or foot.

   to experience cold in one's extremities.

4. Often extremities. a condition or circumstance of extreme need, distress, etc..

   to suffer the extremities of being poor.

5. the utmost or any extreme degree.

   the extremity of joy.

6. an extreme or extraordinary measure, act, etc..

   to go to any extremity to feed the children.

7. extreme nature or character.

   the extremity of his views on foreign trade.

8. Archaic. a person's last moment before death.

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extremity British  

/ ɪkˈstrɛmɪtɪ /

noun

1. the farthest or outermost point or section; termination

2. the greatest or most intense degree

3. an extreme condition or state, as of adversity or disease

4. a limb, such as a leg, arm, or wing, or the part of such a limb farthest from the trunk

5. archaic (usually plural) a drastic or severe measure

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• superextremity
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• extremities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of extremity

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English word from Latin word extrēmitās. See extreme, -ity

Explanation

An extremity is a limb or appendage of the body, particularly the hands and feet. If the weather is cold, you have to be sure to protect your extremities from frostbite by wearing gloves, warm socks, and boots. The noun extremity also means the outermost point or part — the one that's farthest away. Nauset Light Beach on Cape Cod, for example, is the easternmost extremity in the state of Massachusetts. Extremity can also refer to the greatest degree, especially of an emotion or physical feeling. The extremity of the pain in your ankle might make you realize you should go to the emergency room for x-rays.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

extremity extremities

It all can feel a little heavy-handed, but extremity does suit the story.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2026

It reminded me of two similar films that deal in extremity and, on their face, look like inflammatory cinema until picked apart and examined more closely.

From Salon ● Apr. 9, 2026

On behalf of Bosh's next of kin, Mark Stewart KC said: "People might wonder and ask why it is that police officers who are armed do not shoot to injure by shooting an extremity."

From BBC ● Mar. 17, 2026

Bilateral lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70.

From Slate ● Jul. 18, 2025

Thorold tried to comfort her, but he didn’t know the reason for her extremity of grief, and could only pat her shoulder nervously.

From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman

Your core temperature continues to plummet because the chilled blood from your extremities returns to your heart.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026

But the whole book is a wondrous exploration of the extremities of existence.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 14, 2025

It listed a number of "targeted disabilities": "Hearing, vision, missing extremities, partial paralysis, complete paralysis, epilepsy, severe intellectual disability, psychiatric disability and dwarfism".

From BBC ● Jan. 31, 2025

Which is to say that she has always been curious about the extremities of human behavior.

From New York Times ● Nov. 29, 2024

“Once the heart has ceased to beat, a man’s blood runs down into his extremities, where it thickens and congeals.”

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Related Words

• terminus