adjective
extraordinary
ik-STROR-duh-nair-ee/ɪkˈstrɔːrdəneri/
Far beyond what is normal or expected.
The ancient tree's extraordinary size makes the visitors beneath its roots look tiny.
Etymology
The pieces express being outside the usual order or arrangement. What falls outside the customary pattern can be uncommon or remarkable, giving the adjective its familiar sense.
In context
something extraordinary has happened an ordinary looking Rock actually contained a grain of gold at a concentration of about 5,000 times you would normally see in the earth
More examples
- It takes extraordinary patience to earn a frightened dog's trust.
- The storm causes extraordinary damage across the coastal towns.
- Only extraordinary circumstances justify closing the hospital.
Forms
extraordinary · more extraordinary · most extraordinary
extraordinarily adverb — To a degree far beyond normal.
Similar words
- exceptional
- Suggests unusually high quality, often compared with other examples.
- remarkable
- Emphasizes being worthy of notice rather than exceeding normal limits.
- unusual
- Means different from the norm, without necessarily suggesting great magnitude.