# extreme

/ɛkˈstɹim/ (US) · /ɛkstɹˈiːm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/extreme
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. very great or intense

adjective · CEFR B1

used to describe a feeling or condition that is very strong or at the highest level.

For teachers: denoting the greatest or highest degree of a quality or condition; intense.

- The hikers struggled to walk in the extreme heat of the desert afternoon.
- The research team faced extreme conditions during the winter expedition, with temperatures frequently dropping below forty degrees Celsius.

### 2. far beyond the norm

adjective · CEFR B2

much more than what is usual, reasonable, or expected.

For teachers: exceeding the bounds of moderation; excessive or radical in nature.

- His extreme views on politics made it difficult for him to agree with his colleagues.
- The government was forced to take extreme measures to stabilize the currency after the sudden market crash.

### 3. dangerous sports

adjective · CEFR B1

describing sports that are very dangerous or difficult.

For teachers: relating to sports or activities that involve a high level of physical risk and specialized gear.

- Skydiving and mountain climbing are popular extreme sports for people who love excitement.
- The documentary explores why certain athletes are drawn to extreme sports despite the significant risk of life-altering injury.

### 4. the highest degree

noun · CEFR B2

the furthest possible point or the highest level of something.

For teachers: the utmost point, degree, or condition of something.

- The two brothers are at opposite extremes when it comes to being organized.
- The philosopher argued that virtue often lies in the middle ground between two extremes of human behavior.

### 5. math proportions

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the first and last numbers in a mathematical ratio.

For teachers: the first and last terms of a proportion or series.

- In the ratio one to two equals three to six, one and six are the extremes.
- To solve the proportion, the student multiplied the extremes and compared the result to the product of the means.

Usage: In the proportion a:b = c:d, 'a' and 'd' are the extremes.

## Examples

- The weather here moves from one extreme to another.
- He often swings between the extremes of working all night and sleeping all day.
- Political discourse in the region has increasingly moved toward the extremes, leaving little room for moderate voices to find common ground.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.