Extremity

The farthest point or edge of something, or the utmost limit or degree of something; in anatomy, a limb or appendage.

noun

💡

Imagine This

Imagine standing at the very end of a long pier where the land ends and the sea begins—the extremity of the pier is the furthest point toward the water.

🔊

Sounds Like

ik-STREM-i-tee

👀

Looks Like

Looks like extreme + -ity; visually resembles the word 'extreme'.

📝

Remember This

Extremity is often used for limbs (hands, feet) in anatomy; the plural form extremities refers to all such limbs. The word also appears in phrases describing the utmost limits of conditions or resources (e.g., at the extremity of danger). The root is Latin, connected to outermost or farthest points.

📚

Other Forms

extremitynoun

extremitiesnoun

extremaladjective

extremenessnoun

🔗

Connect With

edge, boundary, limit, end, terminus; also related to extreme concepts and to limbs (hands/feet) in anatomy.

📌

Note

Do not confuse with extremely or extremism. Ext extremity is a noun (singular) and extremities is the plural. In everyday usage, it commonly refers to the edge or limit of something, or to a limb of the body.

🧠

Study Deeper

Examples

Her fingers and toes, the extremities of her body, were numb after the cold.
The expedition pushed toward the extremity of the desert, where the map ended and the landscape opened into unknown terrain.

Synonyms

edgelimitendterminusboundary

Antonyms

centermiddlecore

Etymology

From Latin extremitas 'outermost point', from extremus 'outermost'; via Old French extrémité.

Mnemonic

EXTREME + TY: An extremity is the extreme end or edge of something; remember the word by recognizing it contains 'extreme' and denotes the end.

How well do you know this word now?

Your choice schedules the next review.

Next Word

Continue in alphabetical order.

Extricate

Try a Random Word

Pick any word below to jump in.

Conclusive

adjective

Serving to settle or decide something beyond doubt; decisive and convincing.

Benediction

noun

A blessing or good wishes spoken aloud, especially at the end of a religious service.

Garish

adjective

Showy and flashy in a tasteless or excessive way.

Similar Words

Related words and words with the same part of speech.

Abasement

noun

The act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.

Absurdity

noun

The quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.

Accent

noun

A distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).

Accolade

noun

An honor; a public expression of praise or an award.

Acrimony

noun

Bitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling

Acronym

noun

A word formed from the initial letters of a phrase, pronounced as a single word and used as a shorthand for the full name (for example, NASA or radar).

Study beyond this word

Turn vocabulary practice into a complete SAT plan

Add a workbook for repetition or the official guide for full-test context.

Compare all resources

Vocabulary in context

SAT Vocabulary Workbook

The closest companion to SATVocab for students who want guided lessons and written practice.

Check the workbook

The Official Digital SAT Study Guide book cover

First-time test takers

Official SAT Guide

Official question styles, test structure, and print practice from the College Board.

Check the official guide

Paid Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.