extraordinary
11 synonyms and 5 antonyms for extraordinary, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Very unusual or remarkable; far beyond what is normal.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use extraordinary
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin extrā ōrdinem, "outside the [normal] order" — literally beyond the ordinary sequence of things.
Full origin of extraordinary →Frequently asked questions
What does “extraordinary” mean?
The word “extraordinary” means very unusual or remarkable; far beyond what is normal. In plain terms, remarkable, exceptional, way beyond ordinary — good or simply unusual.
How do you pronounce “extraordinary”?
“Extraordinary” is pronounced ihks-TRAWR-dihn-ree (/ɪksˈtɹɔːrdɪn(ə)ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “extraordinary” in a sentence?
Here is “extraordinary” used in a sentence: “The rescue team showed extraordinary courage during the flood.”
What is another word for “extraordinary”?
Words with a similar meaning to “extraordinary” include exceptional, unparalleled, noteworthy, outstanding and extraordinate.
What is the opposite of “extraordinary”?
The opposite of “extraordinary” — its antonyms — are everyday, normal, ordinary, regular and usual.
What part of speech is “extraordinary”?
“Extraordinary” is an adjective.
Where does the word “extraordinary” come from?
The word “extraordinary” comes from Latin. From Latin extrā ōrdinem, "outside the [normal] order" — literally beyond the ordinary sequence of things.
Is “extraordinary” a common word?
“Extraordinary” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between extraordinary and exceptional?
Both describe things far beyond the normal, but "exceptional" often points to unusually high quality or ability, as in "an exceptional student." "Extraordinary" stresses how remarkable or far outside the ordinary something is, and it can apply to strange or surprising things as well as excellent ones.
Is it spelled extraordinary or extrordinary?
The correct spelling is "extraordinary," formed from "extra" plus "ordinary," so it keeps both the "a" and the "o" in the middle. "Extrordinary" is a common misspelling.
What is the adverb form of extraordinary?
The adverb is "extraordinarily," as in "an extraordinarily difficult exam," where it means to a degree far beyond what is normal. It often works as an intensifier similar to "extremely."