Words / B1

ik-STREEML-ee/ɪkˈstriːmli/

Extremely means to a very great degree: extremely important; extremely cold. Extreme is the adjective (already in the dictionary). Very is weaker; utterly (B2) is often negative. Listening papers can be extremely time-tight. Do not pair extremely with unique in careful style.

Meaning

To a very great degree.

Examples

• “The listening paper is extremely time-tight, so practise with a clock.”
• “Waiting times were extremely long after the outage.”

Good to know

extremely + adjective. Adjective: extreme. Weaker: very. Strong negative twin: utterly. Avoid extremely unique. Exams: extremely time-tight.

Near in meaning

very

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