ultra

[uhl-truh]

See more synonyms for ultra on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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

noun

an extremist, as in politics, religion, fashion, etc.
(initial capital letter) Military. the British code name for intelligence gathered by decrypting German wireless communications enciphered on the Enigma machine during World War II.

Origin of ultra

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

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).

Origin of ultra-

< Latin ultrā (adv. and preposition) on the far side (of), beyond, derivative of *ult(e)r- located beyond

ne plus ultra

[nee pluhs uhl-truh, ney; Latin ne ploo s oo l-trah]

noun

the highest point; acme.
the most intense degree of a quality or state.

Origin of ne plus ultra

1690–1700; < New Latin, Latin nē plūs ultrā (may you) not (go) further beyond (this point)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for ultra

Contemporary Examples

They then become members of the ultra elite Unit 121, granted premium housing and a well-stocked cupboard.
Inside the ‘Surprisingly Great’ North Korean Hacker Hotel
Michael Daly
December 20, 2014
Of course, it took the legitimization of the ultra sexy corset for women to decide to abandon it.
What Lies Beneath: How Lingerie Got Sexy
Raquel Laneri
June 5, 2014
The pieces created a slight camouflage, utilizing lace, geometric patterns, and flowers to create an ultra light fabric.
Valentino, Chanel, and Alexander McQueen at Paris Fashion Week
Liza Foreman
March 4, 2014
David Bailey is best known for his ultra glam photos of the fashionable and famous.
David Bailey’s ‘Stardust’ Shows a Keen Eye for Fine Faces
Chloë Ashby
February 8, 2014
Guys are built differently, not every guy needs a Magnum or Ultra Magnum even, if they think they do.
Condoms Aren’t Sexy. This Is How Porn Stars Would Fix Them.
Aurora Snow
November 30, 2013

Historical Examples

None of the groundcars at Ultra Vires was in operating condition.
Rebels of the Red Planet
Charles Louis Fontenay
Ultra Vires' radio transmitter and receiver had been dismantled.
Rebels of the Red Planet
Charles Louis Fontenay
Can't touch him on the ultra, so I'm going onto the macro-bands.
Triplanetary
Edward Elmer Smith
The "Secret Orchard" is set in the midst of the ultra modern society.
The Coast of Chance
Esther Chamberlain
He thought of the ultra radio—where could he get all the materials needed?
Spacehounds of IPC
Edward Elmer Smith

British Dictionary definitions for ultra

ultra

adjective

extreme or immoderate, esp in beliefs or opinions

noun

an extremist

Word Origin

C19: from Latin: beyond, from ulter distant

ne plus ultra

noun

the extreme or perfect point or state

Word Origin

literally: not more beyond (that is, go no further), allegedly a warning to sailors inscribed on the Pillars of Hercules at Gibraltar

ultra-

prefix

beyond or surpassing a specified extent, range, or limitultramicroscopic
extreme or extremelyultramodern

Word Origin

from Latin ultrā beyond; see ultra

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

Word Origin and History for ultra

ultra-

prefix meaning "beyond" (ultraviolet) or "extremely" (ultramodern), from Latin ultra- from ultra (adv. and prep.) "beyond, on the further side," from PIE *al- "beyond." In common use from early 19c., it appears to have arisen from French political designations. As its own word, a noun meaning "extremist" of various stripes, it is first recorded 1817, from French ultra, shortening of ultra-royaliste "extreme royalist."

ne plus ultra

"utmost limit to which one can go," Latin, literally "no more beyond;" the motto traditionally inscribed on the Pillars of Hercules.

ultra in Medicine

ultra-

pref.

Beyond; on the other side of:ultraviolet.
Beyond the range, scope, or limit of:ultrasonic.

ultra

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}ultra

ultra-

Origin of ultra-

ne plus ultra

Origin of ne plus ultra

Examples from the Web for ultra

Contemporary Examples

They then become members of the ultra elite Unit 121, granted premium housing and a well-stocked cupboard.

Of course, it took the legitimization of the ultra sexy corset for women to decide to abandon it.

The pieces created a slight camouflage, utilizing lace, geometric patterns, and flowers to create an ultra light fabric.

David Bailey is best known for his ultra glam photos of the fashionable and famous.

Guys are built differently, not every guy needs a Magnum or Ultra Magnum even, if they think they do.

Historical Examples

None of the groundcars at Ultra Vires was in operating condition.

Ultra Vires' radio transmitter and receiver had been dismantled.

Can't touch him on the ultra, so I'm going onto the macro-bands.

The "Secret Orchard" is set in the midst of the ultra modern society.

He thought of the ultra radio—where could he get all the materials needed?

ultra

Word Origin

ne plus ultra

Word Origin

ultra-

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for ultra

ultra-

ne plus ultra

ultra-

Origin of ultra