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

Derived Forms

• exˈtraordinariness, noun
• exˈtraordinarily, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·traor·di·nar·i·ly [ik-strawr-dn-, air, -, uh, -lee, ek-str, uh, -awr-], adverb
• ex·traordi·nari·ness noun
• unex·traordi·nary 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

Related Words

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