EXTREME

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does extreme mean? 

• EXTREME (noun)
  The noun EXTREME has 2 senses:

1. the furthest or highest degree of something

2. the point located farthest from the middle of something

  Familiarity information: EXTREME used as a noun is rare.

• EXTREME (adjective)
  The adjective EXTREME has 4 senses:

1. of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

2. far beyond a norm in quantity or amount or degree; to an utmost degree

3. beyond a norm in views or actions

4. most distant in any direction

  Familiarity information: EXTREME used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EXTREME (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The furthest or highest degree of something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Context example:

he carried it to extremes

Hypernyms ("extreme" is a kind of...):

degree; grade; level (a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The point located farthest from the middle of something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting spatial position

Synonyms:

extreme; extreme point; extremum

Hypernyms ("extreme" is a kind of...):

extremity (the outermost or farthest region or point)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "extreme"):

acme; apex; peak; vertex (the highest point (of something))

• EXTREME (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

Synonyms:

extreme; utmost; uttermost

Context example:

in the uttermost distress

Similar:

intense (possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree)

Derivation:

extremity (the greatest or utmost degree)

extremity (an extreme condition or state (especially of adversity or disease))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Far beyond a norm in quantity or amount or degree; to an utmost degree

Context example:

extreme danger

Similar:

immoderate (beyond reasonable limits)

Derivation:

extremity (the greatest or utmost degree)

extremity (an extreme condition or state (especially of adversity or disease))

Sense 3

Meaning:

Beyond a norm in views or actions

Context example:

extreme opinions

Similar:

immoderate (beyond reasonable limits)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Most distant in any direction

Context example:

the extreme edge of town

Similar:

distant (separated in space or coming from or going to a distance)

Derivation:

extremity (the outermost or farthest region or point)

 Context examples 

A very thin, curved lamina comprised of subcortical gray matter that is lateral to the putamen, medial to the insular cortex, and between the external and extreme capsules.

(Claustrum, NCI Thesaurus)

The use of extreme cold to damage or destroy a body part, pathway, or function.

(Cryosurgery, NCI Thesaurus)

A proprietary, robotic radiosurgery system designed to deliver precise beams of high dose radiation to tumors with extreme accuracy.

(CyberKnife, NCI Thesaurus)

Testing the device for conditions related to extremes of temperature.

(Device Thermal Energy Evaluation Method, Food and Drug Administration)

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disorder that causes extreme fatigue.

(Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Chlorendic acid is used as a reactive flame retardant, chemical intermediate, hardening agent and as an extreme pressure lubricant.

(Chlorendic Acid, NCI Thesaurus)

Now, look here, Captain Crocker, this is a very serious matter, though I am willing to admit that you acted under the most extreme provocation to which any man could be subjected.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the extreme limits of his reason.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Rare hereditary disease characterized by extreme sensitivity to ionizing radiation or radiomimetic drugs because of a defect in DNA repair.

(Ataxia Telangiectasia Syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)

Extreme mental or physical pain or suffering.

(Distress, NCI Dictionary)