The difference between Extreme and Severe

When used as adjectives, extreme means of a place, the most remote, farthest or outermost, whereas severe means very bad or intense.


Extreme is also noun with the meaning: the greatest or utmost point, degree or condition.

Extreme is also adverb with the meaning: extremely.

check bellow for the other definitions of Extreme and Severe

  1. Extreme as an adjective:

    Of a place, the most remote, farthest or outermost.

    Examples:

    "At the extreme edges, the coating is very thin."

  2. Extreme as an adjective:

    In the greatest or highest degree; intense.

    Examples:

    "He has an extreme aversion to needles, and avoids visiting the doctor."

  3. Extreme as an adjective:

    Excessive, or far beyond the norm.

    Examples:

    "His extreme love of model trains showed in the rails that criscrossed his entire home."

  4. Extreme as an adjective:

    Drastic, or of great severity.

    Examples:

    "I think the new laws are extreme, but many believe them necessary for national security."

  5. Extreme as an adjective:

    Of sports, difficult or dangerous; performed in a hazardous environment.

    Examples:

    "Television has begun to reflect the growing popularity of extreme sports such as bungee jumping and skateboarding."

  6. Extreme as an adjective (archaic):

    Ultimate, final or last.

    Examples:

    "the extreme hour of life"

  1. Extreme as a noun:

    The greatest or utmost point, degree or condition.

  2. Extreme as a noun:

    Each of the things at opposite ends of a range or scale.

    Examples:

    "'extremes of temperature"

  3. Extreme as a noun:

    A drastic expedient.

  4. Extreme as a noun (mathematics):

    Either of the two numbers at the ends of a proportion, as 1 and 6 in 1:2=3:6.

  1. Extreme as an adverb (archaic):

    Extremely.

  1. Severe as an adjective:

    Very bad or intense.

  2. Severe as an adjective:

    Strict or harsh.

    Examples:

    "a severe taskmaster"

  3. Severe as an adjective:

    Sober, plain in appearance, austere.

    Examples:

    "a severe old maiden aunt"