ultra

¹

[ uhl-truh ]

adjective

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

noun

1. an extremist, as in politics, religion, fashion, etc.
2. Ultra, Military. the British code name for intelligence gathered by decrypting German wireless communications enciphered on the Enigma machine during World War II.

ultra-

²

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 ).

ultra

¹

/ ˈʌltrə /

adjective

1. extreme or immoderate, esp in beliefs or opinions

noun

1. an extremist

ultra-

²

prefix

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

   ultramicroscopic

2. extreme or extremely

   ultramodern

Word History and Origins

Origin of ultra¹

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

Origin of ultra²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ultra¹

C19: from Latin: beyond, from ulter distant

Origin of ultra²

from Latin ultrā beyond; see ultra

Example Sentences

A hundred ultra-wealthy liberal and conservative donors have taken over the political system.

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

Kim Jong Un is changing role models, steering Pyongyang away from Chinese autocrats toward the ultra-aggressive Vladimir Putin.

From The Daily Beast

That particular shop, sold to Bendel a decade ago or so before, had been the ne plus ultra of American bookstores.

From The Daily Beast

Certainly, other communities—ultra-Orthodox Jews, for example—are fretting about members who go online, and then astray.

From The Daily Beast

In Spain he was regarded as the right arm of the ultra-clericals and a possible supporter of Carlism.

From Project Gutenberg

Lamb fills his case, and lights this the ne plus ultra of a soothing weed.

From Project Gutenberg

On his return he again doubled cape Good Hope, which had long been regarded as the ne plus ultra of navigation.

From Project Gutenberg

She belonged to that ultra-modern school which scorns to sue masculine admiration, but which cannot dispense with it nevertheless.

From Project Gutenberg

And those light bulbs in Jack Carlson's garage were ultra-violet bulbs.

From Project Gutenberg