Extraordinary
/ɪksˈtɹɔːrdɪn(ə)ɹi/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjNot ordinary; exceptional; unusual.
adjOut of the ordinary; exceptional; unusual.
Sentence Examples
Your behavior is too extraordinary.
It was an event that proved extraordinary.
What an extraordinary thing to say!
CEFR Practice Quiz
The scientist made an ____ discovery that changed the field.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
It was an ____ event that will be remembered by the local people for many years to come.
Word Origin & History
From Latin extrāōrdinārius, from extrā ōrdinem (“outside the order”). By surface analysis, extra- + ordinary. Doublet of extraordinaire.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Everybody knew I was an extraordinary person. When I was born my beard was three feet long."
— 1921, G. B. Shaw, Back to Methuselah:
"The Houses may meet in extraordinary sessions at the request of the Government, of the Permanent Deputation or of the overall majority of members of either of the two Houses. Extraordinary sessions must be convened with a specific agenda and shall be adjourned once this has been dealt with."
— 1978, Spanish Constitution of 1978:
"Tony Woodcock's early try and a penalty from fourth-choice fly-half Stephen Donald were enough to see the All Blacks home in an extraordinary match that defied all pre-match predictions."
— 2011 October 23, Tom Fordyce, “2011 Rugby World Cup final: New Zealand 8-7 France”, in BBC Sport:
"From the ground, Colombo’s port does not look like much. […] But viewed from high up in one of the growing number of skyscrapers in Sri Lanka’s capital, it is clear that something extraordinary is happening: China is creating a shipping hub just 200 miles from India’s southern tip."
— 2013 June 8, “The new masters and commanders”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8839, page 52:
"[…] the sum that will probably be wanted for each head of service during the year: it is divided into the ordinary, and the extraordinaries."
— 1787, The New Annual Register:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The scientist made an ____ discovery that changed the field.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
It was an ____ event that will be remembered by the local people for many years to come.