extremamente

Extremamente is a Portuguese adverb meaning "to an extreme degree" or "extremely." It is formed from the adjective extremo (extreme) plus the suffix -mente, a common way to derive adverbs from adjectives in Portuguese. The word shares its etymology with Latin extremus, meaning outermost or utmost.

Usage and function

Extremamente functions as an intensifier that modifies adjectives, other adverbs, or past participles to express a high degree of a quality. It typically precedes the word it modifies. Examples include: "É extremamente importante" (It is extremely important), "Ela ficou extremamente feliz" (She became extremely happy), and "Ele correu extremamente rápido" (He ran extremely fast). Compared with more general intensifiers like muito or bastante, extremamente often conveys a stronger, more emphatic degree and can carry a formal or written tone.

Varieties and nuance

The word is widely used in both Brazilian Portuguese and European Portuguese. In very casual speech, speakers may opt for less emphatic alternatives, but extremamente remains common in media, academic language, and formal writing. Slight variations in nuance come from context and emphasis; extremely can carry a sense of evaluation or judgment about the degree being discussed.

Related terms and translation

Synonyms or near-synonyms include muito (very), altamente (highly), and exageradamente (excessively), each with its own typical register. In English, the closest translation is "extremely" or "exceedingly."