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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Extraordinary: Definition, Usage & Examples (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：exceptionally impressive (extraordinary)

extraordinary 🔊

/ɪkˈstrɔːdənri/

adj.

Extremely good, impressive, or special; much more than usual.

Extraordinary meaning illustrated by a skilled pianist receiving a standing ovation.

exceptionally impressive 🔊

➕

/ɪkˈsepʃənəli ɪmˈpresɪv/

adj.

Describes something that is remarkably good, outstanding, or of superior quality, far exceeding the normal standard.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'extra' (outside, beyond) + 'ordinarius' (regular, usual). Means 'beyond ordinary'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'extra' as a bonus or something more, added to an 'ordinary' thing. Combined, they mean 'more than ordinary' or 'remarkable'.

📖 Example

The young musician gave an extraordinary performance at the festival, moving many to tears. 🔊 The young musician gave an exceptionally impressive performance at the festival, moving many to tears.

🔗 Collocations

extraordinary talent – remarkable and uncommon natural ability

extraordinary achievement – a feat or accomplishment that is highly impressive

extraordinary beauty – beauty that is stunning and far beyond the ordinary

🔄 Synonyms

exceptional (adj.) – unusually good; standing out from others

outstanding (adj.) – exceptionally good; clearly superior

remarkable (adj.) – worthy of attention; notably unusual or good

🚫 Antonyms

ordinary (adj.) – with no special or distinctive features; normal

average (adj.) – of the usual or ordinary standard, quality, or level

mediocre (adj.) – of only moderate quality; not very good

🌱 Derivatives

extraordinarily (adv.) – in a very unusual or remarkable manner; to an exceptional degree

extraordinariness (n.) – the quality of being extraordinary

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'extraordinarius,' used to describe officials appointed outside the regular order or duties (e.g., a Roman magistrate with special powers). It entered English in the 15th century, initially retaining this legal/administrative sense before broadening to its current meanings.

Meaning 2：highly unusual (extraordinary)

extraordinary 🔊

/ɪkˈstrɔːdənri/

adj.

Very unusual or strange; not like what you normally see or expect.

highly unusual 🔊

➕

/ˈhaɪli ʌnˈjuːʒuəl/

adj.

Refers to something that is very strange, odd, or not at all typical; deviating significantly from what is considered normal.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

We experienced extraordinary weather in the desert last night-it actually snowed! 🔊 We experienced highly unusual weather in the desert last night-it actually snowed!

🔗 Collocations

extraordinary event – a happening that is very rare or strange

extraordinary circumstances – highly unusual or unexpected situations

extraordinary sight – something very strange or remarkable to see

🔄 Synonyms

unusual (adj.) – not habitually or commonly occurring or done

strange (adj.) – unusual or surprising in a way that is unsettling or hard to understand

peculiar (adj.) – different to what is normal or expected; strange

🚫 Antonyms

common (adj.) – occurring, found, or done often; not rare

normal (adj.) – conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected

ordinary (adj.) – with no special or distinctive features; normal

Meaning 3：utterly unexpected (extraordinary)

extraordinary 🔊

/ɪkˈstrɔːdənri/

adj.

Completely unexpected and surprising; not predicted by anyone.

Extraordinary discovery depicted by a surprised scientist seeing unexpected data.

utterly unexpected 🔊

➕

/ˈʌtəli ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪd/

adj.

Emphasizes that something is so surprising or unforeseen that it was not predicted by logic or common sense.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The scientist made an extraordinary discovery by accident while testing a different theory. 🔊 The scientist made an utterly unexpected discovery by accident while testing a different theory.

🔗 Collocations

extraordinary turn of events – a completely surprising and unforeseen change in a situation

extraordinary coincidence – a surprising and seemingly improbable concurrence of events

extraordinary revelation – a surprising and significant fact that is made known

🔄 Synonyms

unforeseen (adj.) – not anticipated or predicted

astonishing (adj.) – extremely surprising or impressive; amazing

startling (adj.) – very surprising, alarming, or astonishing

🚫 Antonyms

expected (adj.) – regarded as likely to happen

predictable (adj.) – able to be predicted or foreseen