extraordinary
[ ik-strawr-dn-er-ee, ek-struh-awr- ]
/ ɪkˈstrɔr dnˌɛr i, ˌɛk strəˈɔr- /
Save This Word!
adjective
beyond what is usual, ordinary, regular, or established: extraordinary costs.
exceptional in character, amount, extent, degree, etc.; noteworthy; remarkable: extraordinary speed; an extraordinary man.
(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.
OTHER WORDS FOR extraordinary
1 inordinate.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
Origin of extraordinary
OTHER WORDS FROM extraordinary
ex·traor·di·nar·i·ly [ik-strawr-dn-air-uh-lee, ek-struh-awr-], /ɪkˌstrɔr dnˈɛər ə li, ˌɛk strəˌɔr-/, adverbex·traor·di·nar·i·ness, nounun·ex·traor·di·nar·y, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use extraordinary in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for extraordinary
extraordinary
/ (ɪkˈstrɔːdənrɪ, -dənərɪ) /
adjective
very unusual, remarkable, or surprising
not in an established manner, course, or order
employed for particular events or purposes
(usually postpositive) (of an official, etc) additional or subordinate to the usual onea minister extraordinary
Derived forms of extraordinary
extraordinarily, adverbextraordinariness, nounWord Origin for extraordinary
C15: from Latin extraordinārius beyond what is usual; see ordinary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012