Ekstremt

Ekstremt is a Norwegian adverb that denotes a very high degree or intensity. It is used to amplify adjectives, other adverbs, or phrases, similar to the English word extremely. As the adverb form of the adjective ekstrem, it expresses emphasis rather than a factual description by itself.

Etymology and related forms: Ekstremt derives from ekstrem, meaning extreme. The word follows the common Norwegian pattern where the adjective form ekstrem is turned into an adverb with the suffix -t. The root itself comes from Latin extremus, carried through various European languages into Norwegian via Danish and other linguistic influences.

Usage and examples: Ekstremt is commonly placed before the word it modifies, most often an adjective or another adverb. Examples include: ekstremt kaldt (extremely cold), ekstremt vanskelig (extremely difficult), or han løp ekstremt fort (he ran extremely fast). It is generally stronger than synonyms like veldig or svært, and its use tends to be more emphatic or formal. In scientific or neutral writing, writers may choose more restrained terms such as svært or svært mye to avoid overstatement.

Usage notes: Ekstremt cannot modify nouns directly; it modifies adjectives, adverbs, or adjectival phrases. While widely accepted in Bokmål and Nynorsk, its stylistic intensity means it is less common in highly formal or technical prose, where a milder expression might be preferred.

See also: Ekstrem (extreme), ekstremisme (extremism).