adj
Common
ultra
UHLT-ruh
Ultra (adj) means Extreme; going far beyond what is normal or moderate. Example: “He has ultra strict rules about bedtime in his house.”
adj
1
Extreme; going far beyond what is normal or moderate.
"He has ultra strict rules about bedtime in his house."
"The phone's ultra thin design made it easy to slip into a pocket."
"The policy was criticized by even some ultra conservatives as too extreme."
noun
1
A highly devoted, often organized sports fan known for elaborate displays and passionate support.
"Every home game, the ultras stand behind the goal and sing without stopping."
"A group of ultras unrolled a huge banner before kick-off."
"The ultras lit flares and sang for the entire match."
How to use ultra
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExtreme, or (in sport) a fiercely devoted, organized group of fans.
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Word forms
- Plural
- ultras
- Comparative
- more ultra
- Superlative
- most ultra
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He has _____ strict rules about bedtime in his house.
Etymology
From Latin "ultra", meaning "beyond".
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “ultra” mean?
The word “ultra” means extreme; going far beyond what is normal or moderate. In plain terms, extreme, or (in sport) a fiercely devoted, organized group of fans.
How do you pronounce “ultra”?
“Ultra” is pronounced UHLT-ruh (/ˈʌltɹə/ in IPA).
How do you use “ultra” in a sentence?
Here is “ultra” used in a sentence: “The policy was criticized by even some ultra conservatives as too extreme.”
What part of speech is “ultra”?
Depending on how it is used, “ultra” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “ultra” come from?
The word “ultra” comes from Latin. From Latin "ultra", meaning "beyond".
Is “ultra” a common word?
“Ultra” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ultra” have?
“Ultra” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extreme; going far beyond what is normal or moderate.
What is the difference between "ultra" and "extreme"?
Both describe something that goes far beyond what is normal or moderate, but "extreme" is a standard adjective, while "ultra" feels more emphatic and often attaches to another word as a prefix, as in ultra-modern or ultra-thin. As a standalone adjective, "ultra" tends to sound more informal.
When is "ultra" used as a noun rather than an adjective?
As a noun, an "ultra" is a highly devoted, often organised sports fan, especially in football, known for elaborate displays, chanting, and passionate support. This meaning is most common in European football culture.
Can "ultra" be used as a prefix as well as a separate word?
Yes. As a prefix, "ultra" joins another word to mean "beyond" or "excessively," as in ultraviolet or ultra-light. As a standalone adjective it means extreme or going far beyond the moderate.
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