ultra

¹

[ uhl-truh ]

adjective

1. going beyond what is usual or ordinary; excessive; extreme.

noun

1. an extremist, as in politics, religion, fashion, etc.
2. Ultra, Military. the British code name for intelligence gathered by decrypting German wireless communications enciphered on the Enigma machine during World War II.

ultra-

²

1. a prefix occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, with the basic meaning “on the far side of, beyond.” In relation to the base to which it is prefixed, ultra- has the senses “located beyond, on the far side of ” ( ultramontane; ultraviolet ), “carrying to the furthest degree possible, on the fringe of ” ( ultraleft; ultramodern ), “extremely” ( ultralight ); nouns to which it is added denote, in general, objects, properties, phenomena, etc., that surpass customary norms, or instruments designed to produce or deal with such things ( ultramicroscope; ultrasound; ultrastructure ).

ultra

¹

/ ˈʌltrə /

adjective

1. extreme or immoderate, esp in beliefs or opinions

noun

1. an extremist

ultra-

²

prefix

1. beyond or surpassing a specified extent, range, or limit

   ultramicroscopic

2. extreme or extremely

   ultramodern

Word History and Origins

Origin of ultra¹

Independent use of ultra-, or shortening of words prefixed with it

Origin of ultra²

From Latin ultrā (adverb and preposition) “on the far side,” derivative of ulter (unrecorded) “located beyond”

Word History and Origins

Origin of ultra¹

C19: from Latin: beyond, from ulter distant

Origin of ultra²

from Latin ultrā beyond; see ultra

Example Sentences

Sir David's programmes have gone from being shot on 16mm film stock with clockwork cameras in 1954 to ultra high definition 4k in the present day.

From BBC

Bonin, in an interview, said he is happy with Tuesday’s results, saying he expects Jurado will expand the council’s bloc of ultra progressive council members.

From Los Angeles Times

As Girl Ultra’s home base, it’s the space where the 28-year-old first settled into her slew of new age sounds and continues to scratch her itch for experimentation.

From Los Angeles Times

Napo Pineda, 21, and Daniel Moreno, 24, arrive in matching Girl Ultra T-shirts and are quick to join the forming line.

From Los Angeles Times

After getting their records signed and staging an impromptu photo shoot with the singer, they share that Girl Ultra’s music is one of the first things that brought them together as a couple.

From Los Angeles Times