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

Example Sentences

She is the one and only Cher, an American icon who has long dazzled audiences around the world with her extraordinary singing, acting and comedic chops.

From Los Angeles Times

"By successfully creating a mouse using molecular tools derived from our single-celled relatives, we're witnessing an extraordinary continuity of function across nearly a billion years of evolution," said Dr de Mendoza.

From Science Daily

Justin Herbert had an extraordinary first half before the Chargers slumped and blew a 21-point lead to the Bengals, but the quarterback was clutch in the end.

From Los Angeles Times

In his first term, he threatened to adjourn both chambers under a presidential power laid out in the Constitution for “extraordinary occasions.”

From Los Angeles Times

What made them extraordinary were the events that preceded them.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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