äußerst

Äußerst is a German adverb that translates to "extremely," "utterly," "highly," or "most" in English. It is used to intensify an adjective, another adverb, or sometimes a verb, indicating a very high degree of something. It signifies a limit or the furthest point of a quality or action.

For example, in the phrase "äußerst wichtig," it means "extremely important." Similarly, "äußerst schnell" translates to "extremely fast." The adverb emphasizes the superlative nature of the described characteristic. It can also be used to convey a sense of urgency or criticality, as in "äußerst gefährlich" (extremely dangerous).

The word "äußerst" is derived from the German adjective "äußer" meaning "outer" or "external." This etymological connection suggests the idea of reaching the utmost or outermost point, thus conveying the sense of extremity. Its usage is common in both spoken and written German across various contexts, from everyday conversation to formal writing and academic discourse, where precise and emphatic language is required. It is a versatile intensifier that adds significant weight to the word it modifies.