Extreme
/ɪkˈstriːm/
Definitions
2 meaningsExisting in the highest or greatest degree; very great.
/ɪkˈstriːm/
Reaching a high or the highest degree; very great.
The heat wave caused extreme discomfort.
💡 Simply: Imagine something that goes way, way past normal! Like, if your friend is super, super happy or sad, that’s extreme. It's the biggest, strongest, or most intense version of something.
👶 For kids: When something is super big or lots of it, it's extreme!
More Examples
They faced extreme challenges during the project.
He showed extreme dedication to his work.
How It's Used
"He took extreme measures to protect his family."
"The storm caused extreme weather conditions."
The furthest point or limit of something, often implying a state or degree beyond the norm.
/ɪkˈstriːm/
The furthest point or limit of something.
The political extremes clashed during the protest.
💡 Simply: It's like the end of the line. Imagine you're drawing a line and at both sides, the ends. Each end is an extreme.
👶 For kids: The very end or the biggest amount of something.
More Examples
He lived in the extreme poverty.
The ship sailed to the extreme of the ocean.
How It's Used
"The political debate moved to the extreme on both sides."
"The extreme north is often uninhabited."
Idioms & expressions
in the extreme
To a very great degree; intensely.
"He was behaving in the extreme."
extreme sports
Sports that involve a high degree of risk and physical exertion.
"He enjoys doing extreme sports like skydiving and bungee jumping."
From Latin extremus ('farthest, utmost'), a superlative of exter ('outer'). It originally signified the furthest point or degree.
Originally used in Latin, with its roots in describing the furthest reaches or limits. Its usage has broadened over time.