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• ultra
  ultra

  adjective

  going beyond what is usual or ordinary; excessive; extreme.
• ultra-
  ultra-

  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 American  

[uhl-truh] / ˈʌl trə /

adjective

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

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noun

• ultras
  plural

1. an extremist, as in politics, religion, fashion, etc.

2. Military. Ultra, the British code name for intelligence gathered by decrypting German wireless communications enciphered on the Enigma machine during World War II.

ultra- ² American  

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 ).

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ultra ¹ British  

/ ˈʌltrə /

adjective

1. extreme or immoderate, esp in beliefs or opinions

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noun

1. an extremist

ultra- ² British  

prefix

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

   ultramicroscopic

2. extreme or extremely

   ultramodern

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• ultras
  plural

Etymology

Origin of ultra¹

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

Origin of ultra-²

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

Explanation

Use the adjective ultra to describe something extreme, like your ultra strict parents or your own ultra radical political views. If your sister is ultra uptight and your English teacher's syllabus is ultra traditional, it means that both of them hold unusual opinions, far outside of the normal range. Neither would be a good fit for your own ultra relaxed philosophy of life. Ultra means "beyond" in Latin, and its meaning of "outside the norm" comes from the French word ultra-royaliste, or "extreme royalist." Eventually, it was shortened to just ultra, to describe any extreme opinion.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ultra ultra- ultras

“Growing demand for premium steelmaking inputs, declining seaborne ore quality, and increasing blending requirements support structurally attractive economics for ultra high-grade iron ore producers.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

De Zerbi says he was "born an ultra".

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

Qantas's "Project Sunrise" using ultra long-haul planes has been on the cards for the past nine years -- but has been repeatedly delayed.

From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026

These ingredients are frequently added to ultra processed products, including flavored water, soft drinks, energy drinks, yogurt and desserts marketed as low in calories.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 18, 2026

Here, though, is the Plus ultra of Joseph Glanvill, published in 1668.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

In particular, she said, “fares for Etihad’s unique, ultra-luxury, ultra- private offering are not subject to discounts or promotional fares.”

From Forbes ● Mar. 8, 2015

For the ultra- dedicated gamer in your life, you can pick up Dragon Age Inquisition, which has a 40 hour story and about 200 hours worth of stuff to do in total.

From Forbes ● Nov. 28, 2014

This type of story, says Michael Hurt, a former English teacher who is now completing a P.H.D. in Seoul, has helped turn teachers into an "easy target" for ultra- nationalists.

From Time ● Dec. 24, 2010

"If you convince people that the Messiah is coming and he doesn't," says Amnon Levy, author of a book on the ultra- Orthodox, "a whole generation may lose its faith."

From Time Magazine Archive

Be sure to moisturize with an ultra- hydrating serum like The Corporation’s new Skin So Right B14 Complex for Total Cell Renewal, made with essential vitamins, minerals, and concentrated yak’s bladder.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray

Desmond went on to criticise a section of fans over a recent incident that led to the Green Brigade ultras group being banned and added: "Those people are bullies."

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

They organized visits from true-blue French soccer ultras for a cultural exchange: the Europeans taught chants while the Texans taught barbecue.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 27, 2026

"What these young ultras bring is an energy and a passion," he says.

From BBC ● Mar. 17, 2026

Over the past years he has had 62 million views on TikTok and 10 million on Youtube channel showing Scottish ultras from grassroots level to topflight clubs.

From BBC ● Mar. 17, 2026

But after all, what are these artificial channels of communication, these ne plus ultras of human contrivance, compared with those natural mediums of intercourse, those mighty rivers which pervade every quarter of the globe?

From Statistical, Historical and Political Description of the Colony of New South Wales and its Dependent Settlements in Van Diemen's Land With a Particular Enumeration of the Advantages Which These Colonies Offer for Emigration, and Their Superiority in Many Respects Over Those Possessed by the United States of America by William Charles Wentworth