extraordinary
Extraordinary means something is very special, unusual, or much better than what we usually see.
Explanation at your level:
Extraordinary means very, very good or special. If you see a beautiful flower that is not like the others, it is extraordinary. Use it when you are surprised by how great something is!
When something is not normal, we call it extraordinary. It is a great word to use instead of 'very good'. For example, if your friend plays the piano perfectly, you can say, 'Your playing is extraordinary!'
Use extraordinary to describe things that are remarkable. It is common to hear 'extraordinary talent' or 'extraordinary weather'. It helps you sound more descriptive than just using basic adjectives like 'big' or 'nice'.
Extraordinary is a strong adjective. It is often used in news reports or formal writing to describe events that are unusual or impressive. Remember, it is a 'strong' adjective, so you don't need 'very' before it.
In advanced English, extraordinary is used to emphasize the uniqueness of a situation. It can describe people, events, or even complex ideas. It carries a sense of awe or surprise, making it a powerful tool for persuasive writing or storytelling.
Mastery of this word involves understanding its nuance between 'unusual' and 'exceptional'. While it can mean 'strange' (outside the norm), it is most often used to denote high praise. Its etymological roots in 'outside the order' allow it to be used in literary contexts to describe characters or events that defy conventional logic.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means very special or unusual.
- Comes from Latin 'outside the order'.
- Do not use 'very' before it.
- Use it to describe remarkable things.
Hey there! Have you ever seen something so cool that 'good' or 'great' just didn't cut it? That is when you use extraordinary. It is the perfect word for when something is way beyond the normal, everyday stuff.
Think of it as extra-ordinary. If something is ordinary, it is just normal. If it is extra-ordinary, it has that little something extra that makes it special. Whether it is an extraordinary talent, an extraordinary day, or an extraordinary person, this word tells people that what you are talking about is truly worth noticing.
The word extraordinary comes to us from the Latin word extraordinarius. This is a combination of extra (meaning 'outside') and ordinarius (meaning 'orderly' or 'regular'). So, literally, it means 'outside of the order'.
It entered the English language in the 16th century. Back then, it was used to describe things that were outside the usual course of events. Over time, it shifted from just meaning 'unusual' to often carrying a positive, admiring tone. It is a classic example of how Latin roots help us build powerful English words!
You can use extraordinary in both formal and casual settings, though it definitely adds a bit of flair to your speech. It is a strong adjective, so you don't usually need to add 'very' before it—it is already powerful on its own!
Commonly, we pair it with nouns like effort, talent, or circumstances. If you are writing an essay, it sounds professional. If you are telling a friend about a wild story, it sounds enthusiastic. Just remember, it is reserved for things that are truly remarkable.
While 'extraordinary' itself isn't always in an idiom, it fits into phrases about excellence.
- Extraordinary measures: Taking extreme steps to solve a problem.
- An extraordinary feat: A very difficult achievement.
- Nothing short of extraordinary: A way to say something is perfect.
- Extraordinary circumstances: Situations that are not normal.
- Extraordinary claims: Statements that need a lot of proof.
In terms of pronunciation, it is a tricky one! Most people say it as ik-STROR-din-er-ee, skipping the 'a' in the middle. The stress is on the second syllable.
It is an adjective, so it modifies nouns. You can say 'an extraordinary cat' or 'the cat was extraordinary.' It does not have a plural form because it describes a quality, not a thing. It rhymes loosely with words like legendary or disciplinary, though the rhythm is unique.
Fun Fact
It was originally used to describe things that happened outside of the normal legal or social order.
Pronunciation Guide
The 'a' in the middle is often dropped.
Similar to UK, very fast middle syllables.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing every letter
- Misplacing the stress
- Adding an extra syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective usage
The cat is extraordinary.
Articles (a/an)
An extraordinary day.
Strong Adjectives
Extraordinary (no very).
Examples by Level
The cake is extraordinary.
cake = food, extraordinary = very good
adjective after verb
She is an extraordinary girl.
extraordinary = special
adjective before noun
That was an extraordinary day.
extraordinary = happy/different
article usage
His art is extraordinary.
art = paintings
simple sentence
We saw an extraordinary bird.
bird = animal
article 'an'
The view is extraordinary.
view = what you see
linking verb
She has extraordinary eyes.
eyes = body part
plural noun
It was an extraordinary surprise.
surprise = shock
noun phrase
The weather today is extraordinary.
He has an extraordinary talent for music.
The team made an extraordinary effort.
It was an extraordinary experience for us.
She showed extraordinary courage.
The story had an extraordinary ending.
We had an extraordinary time in London.
The results were extraordinary.
The candidate showed extraordinary potential.
It is an extraordinary coincidence that we met here.
The museum has an extraordinary collection of art.
His memory for names is extraordinary.
The situation requires extraordinary measures.
She made an extraordinary contribution to the project.
The performance was nothing short of extraordinary.
They faced extraordinary challenges during the trip.
The scientist made an extraordinary discovery.
His ability to remain calm is extraordinary.
The book offers an extraordinary insight into history.
The legal case involved extraordinary circumstances.
She possesses an extraordinary capacity for empathy.
The landscape was extraordinary in its beauty.
It was an extraordinary display of skill.
The company has achieved extraordinary growth.
The diplomat played an extraordinary role in the peace talks.
Her life story is truly extraordinary.
The complexity of the system is extraordinary.
They took extraordinary steps to ensure safety.
The film is an extraordinary piece of cinematography.
He has an extraordinary grasp of the subject.
The level of detail is simply extraordinary.
It was an extraordinary feat of engineering.
The symphony was an extraordinary testament to his genius.
She demonstrated an extraordinary degree of patience.
The novel is an extraordinary work of fiction.
His extraordinary intellect was evident to all.
The sheer scale of the project is extraordinary.
It was an extraordinary confluence of events.
The witness gave an extraordinary account of the night.
The extraordinary nature of the crime shocked the city.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"nothing short of extraordinary"
completely amazing
Her recovery was nothing short of extraordinary.
neutral"extraordinary measures"
extreme actions
We took extraordinary measures to save the business.
formal"in extraordinary times"
during difficult or unusual periods
We must adapt in these extraordinary times.
formal"an extraordinary feat"
a great accomplishment
Climbing that mountain was an extraordinary feat.
neutral"extraordinary claims"
statements that are hard to believe
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
formalEasily Confused
Antonym
Ordinary is normal, extraordinary is special.
An ordinary day vs an extraordinary day.
Starts with extra
Extravagant means expensive/fancy.
An extravagant party.
Starts with ex
Extreme means the limit.
Extreme weather.
Both mean good
Excellent is a general good, extraordinary is rare.
Excellent work.
Sentence Patterns
It is extraordinary that [clause]
It is extraordinary that he won.
An extraordinary [noun]
An extraordinary event occurred.
The [noun] is extraordinary
The talent is extraordinary.
Show extraordinary [noun]
Show extraordinary patience.
Under extraordinary [noun]
Under extraordinary circumstances.
Word Family
Nouns
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
It is already a strong adjective.
Don't use it as an adverb for other adjectives.
Adjectives don't have plurals.
Use 'an' before vowel sounds.
Spelling check.
Tips
Avoid 'Very'
Don't use 'very' with strong adjectives.
The Middle 'a'
Don't pronounce the 'a' in the middle.
Article usage
Always use 'an' because it starts with a vowel sound.
Use it in a story
Write a short story using it.
Latin roots
It means 'outside the order'.
Spelling
Watch out for the 'a' after 'extra'.
Visualizing
Imagine something 'extra' added to 'ordinary'.
Pop culture
Think of movies with 'Extraordinary' in the title.
Context
Learn it with the noun 'effort'.
Register
Use it to add emphasis to your speech.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Extra + Ordinary = Extra special normal.
Visual Association
A normal person wearing a superhero cape.
Word Web
Challenge
Use the word in a sentence today.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: Outside the order
Cultural Context
None, it is a positive word.
Used frequently in media to describe high achievements.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- extraordinary effort
- extraordinary results
- extraordinary growth
In stories
- extraordinary adventure
- extraordinary character
- extraordinary journey
In news
- extraordinary measures
- extraordinary claims
- extraordinary event
In daily life
- extraordinary day
- extraordinary talent
- extraordinary view
Conversation Starters
"What is the most extraordinary thing you have ever seen?"
"Do you think extraordinary people are born or made?"
"Can you describe an extraordinary day you had recently?"
"What is an extraordinary talent you wish you had?"
"Is it common to see extraordinary things in your city?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a person you know who is extraordinary.
Describe a time you had to make an extraordinary effort.
What makes a normal day turn into an extraordinary one?
If you could have one extraordinary power, what would it be?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is a strong adjective.
It fits both formal and casual contexts.
E-X-T-R-A-O-R-D-I-N-A-R-Y.
No, it is an adjective.
Usually, but it can describe unusual negative things too.
Latin extra + ordinarius.
Yes, it is very common.
Yes, for anything special.
Test Yourself
The sunset was ___.
It describes something amazing.
What does extraordinary mean?
It means beyond the ordinary.
You should say 'very extraordinary'.
It is already a strong adjective.
Word
Meaning
They are synonyms.
Adjective before noun.
Score: /5
Summary
Extraordinary means something is so special that it stands outside the normal order of things.
- Means very special or unusual.
- Comes from Latin 'outside the order'.
- Do not use 'very' before it.
- Use it to describe remarkable things.
Avoid 'Very'
Don't use 'very' with strong adjectives.
The Middle 'a'
Don't pronounce the 'a' in the middle.
Article usage
Always use 'an' because it starts with a vowel sound.
Use it in a story
Write a short story using it.
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