extraordinaire
Americanadjective
Usage
What does extraordinaire mean? Extraordinaire is an adjective that means “outstanding” or “remarkable.” It is always used after the noun it describes, as in a writer extraordinaire. Extraordinaire is most commonly used to describe a person with exceptional talent. Unlike most English adjectives, extraordinaire is used postpositively, meaning it must immediately follow the noun that it describes. Example: My grandmother makes the most delicious dishes, and my whole family considers her a chef extraordinaire.
Explanation
The informal adjective extraordinaire is a great way to describe someone who does something particularly well. You might describe your sister as a dog trainer extraordinaire, for example. If you know people who are truly outstanding at what they do, you might want to use extraordinaire when you talk about them. You could mention your neighbor, the cupcake baker extraordinaire, or your uncle who's an amateur magician extraordinaire. In either case, you're emphasizing how good they are at their particular talents. Extraordinaire is a French word that means "extraordinary, unusual, or out of the ordinary," and it's been used as a superlative in English since the 1940's.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Naturalist and narrator extraordinaire David Attenborough is likely beyond the point where he wants to wrestle a baby gorilla in the mountains of Rwanda.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026
On Saturday came sad news that Palmerston, a black-and-white cat, once mouser to the Foreign Office and "Diplocat extraordinaire", had passed away in Bermuda where he retired in 2020.
From Barron's • Feb. 15, 2026
Will they be thwarted again by the shot-stopper extraordinaire we saw in last week's semi-final first leg, when the giant Italian's long arms ensured Paris St-Germain escaped Emirates Stadium with a 1-0 win?
From BBC • May 6, 2025
You’ve won a Grammy, opened for the Rolling Stones and Vampire Weekend, and collaborated with everyone from Guy to funk bassist extraordinaire Bootsy Collins to Southern rapper BIG K.R.I.T.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 2024
I’m partnered up with Simone, athlete extraordinaire, for our weights unit, so there’s no opportunity to talk to Tats in class.
From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
