Cool MateExtremely vs Highly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Extremely
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
Highly
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adverb
| Extremely | Highly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈstriːmli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈstriːmli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈhaɪli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈhaɪli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Very much; to a very high degree. | Very much or to a great degree. |
| Example | She was extremely happy about her exam results. | She is highly skilled in playing the violin. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | extremely happy, extremely difficult, extremely important, extremely cold, extremely fast | highly recommended, highly qualified, highly effective, highly important, highly regarded |
| Antonyms | slightly, moderately | low, slightly, mildly |
| Common mistakes | Using 'extremely' with nouns, e.g., 'extremely happy person' instead of 'extremely happy'., Confusing 'extremely' with similar adverbs like 'really' for less intense expressions., Placing 'extremely' incorrectly in a sentence, altering the meaning. | Using 'high' instead of 'highly' (e.g., 'high recommended' instead of 'highly recommended'), Confusing with 'highly' as a noun rather than an adverb, Omitting topics when using 'highly' (e.g., 'highly, please' is incomplete) |
| Usage notes | Use 'extremely' to emphasize adjectives or adverbs. Appropriate in both spoken and written English, but avoid in casual contexts where simpler terms like 'really' may suffice. | Used to emphasize the degree of an adjective or adverb. Typically appropriate in both spoken and written language, but be cautious in informal settings where simpler terms might be preferred. |
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Frequently asked questions: Extremely vs Highly
What's the difference between Extremely and Highly?
Extremely: Very much; to a very high degree. Highly: Very much or to a great degree.
Which is more advanced: Extremely and Highly?
Highly is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Extremely and Highly the same CEFR level?
Extremely: A2, Highly: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Extremely and Highly?
Extremely: adverb, Highly: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Extremely: She was extremely happy about her exam results. Highly: She is highly skilled in playing the violin.
Can I use Extremely and Highly interchangeably?
Not always. Extremely and Highly are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.