Cool MateExtremely vs Freaking
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Extremely
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
Freaking
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: ExtremelyMost common: Extremely
| Extremely | Freaking | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈstriːmli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈstriːmli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈfriː.kɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈfriː.kɪŋ// |
| Meaning | Very much; to a very high degree. | A way to say very or really, often used to show strong feelings. |
| Example | She was extremely happy about her exam results. | I am so freaking tired after that hike! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | extremely happy, extremely difficult, extremely important, extremely cold, extremely fast | freaking awesome, freaking out, freaking huge |
| Antonyms | slightly, moderately | calm, composed, unexcited |
| 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. | Confused with 'freaked out' which means to become very anxious or scared., Used incorrectly with nouns instead of adjectives., Overused to the point of losing emphasis. |
| 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. | Commonly used in casual conversation or social media. Avoid in formal writing, as it may be considered inappropriate. |
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Frequently asked questions: Extremely vs Freaking
What's the difference between Extremely and Freaking?
Extremely: Very much; to a very high degree. Freaking: A way to say very or really, often used to show strong feelings.
Which is more formal: Extremely and Freaking?
Extremely is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Extremely and Freaking?
Extremely is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Extremely: She was extremely happy about her exam results. Freaking: I am so freaking tired after that hike!
Can I use Extremely and Freaking interchangeably?
Not always. Extremely and Freaking 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.