extraordinary

[ik-strawr-dn-er-ee, ek-struh-awr-]

adjective

1. beyond what is usual, ordinary, regular, or established.

   extraordinary costs.

   Synonyms: inordinate
   Antonyms: usual, common

2. exceptional in character, amount, extent, degree, etc.; noteworthy; remarkable.

   extraordinary speed;

   an extraordinary man.

   Synonyms: signal, special, phenomenal, rare, singular, uncommon
   Antonyms: usual, common

3. (of an official, employee, etc.) outside of or additional to the ordinary staff; having a special, often temporary task or responsibility.

   minister extraordinary and plenipotentiary.

extraordinary

/ ɪkˈstrɔːdənrɪ, -dənərɪ /

adjective

1. very unusual, remarkable, or surprising

2. not in an established manner, course, or order

3. employed for particular events or purposes

4. (usually postpositive) (of an official, etc) additional or subordinate to the usual one

   a minister extraordinary

Other Word Forms

• extraordinarily adverb
• extraordinariness noun
• unextraordinary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of extraordinary¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English extraordinarie, from Latin extrāordinārius “beyond ordinary,” equivalent to extra- + ordinary

Word History and Origins

Origin of extraordinary¹

C15: from Latin extraordinārius beyond what is usual; see _ordinary

Example Sentences

In an extraordinary comeback, the controversial 76-year-old was this week surprisingly allowed to contest October's elections, calling on supporters to help "build a new nation".

From BBC

Like the first time we flew into Japan, I was just blown over by the beauty of the place and the extraordinary people, and there are the kind of futuristic cities and all of that.

From Los Angeles Times

Half of the country is reeling under floods after extraordinary downpours, with Punjab facing its worst deluge since 1988.

From BBC

Now, for the second time, he has won the Irish Open and he was right to revel in the noise and passion generated by his extraordinary ability to seize the moment.

From BBC

Upstairs in the public gallery, observers craned their necks to get a last glimpse – possibly for decades, perhaps ever – of the seemingly ordinary woman who is one of Australia's most extraordinary killers.

From BBC

Related Words

• amazing 
• bizarre 
• curious 
• exceptional 
• fantastic 
• incredible 
• marvelous 
• odd 
• outstanding 
• particular 
• phenomenal 
• rare 
• remarkable 
• singular 
• special 
• strange 
• surprising 
• terrific 
• uncommon 
• unheard-of