極(きわ)めて

極(きわ)めて is a formal adverb meaning 'extremely' or 'exceedingly,' derived from the verb 極(きわ)める (to reach the extreme).

REGISTER:
More formal and emphatic than とても. Often used in written language, news, and formal speech.

FORMALITY SCALE (least to most formal):

• とても: very (casual)
• 大変(たいへん): very (general)
• 非常(ひじょう)に: very, extremely (formal)
• 極(きわ)めて: extremely (most formal)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

• 極(きわ)めて重要(じゅうよう): extremely important
• 極(きわ)めて珍(めずら)しい: extremely rare
• 極(きわ)めて困難(こんなん): extremely difficult
• 極(きわ)めて異例(いれい): highly unusual

USAGE NOTE:
Often appears in news reports, academic writing, and official announcements when emphasizing the degree of something.