ex ‧ traor ‧ di ‧ na ‧ ry S3 W3 /ɪkˈstrɔːd ə n ə ri $ ɪkˈstrɔːrdn-eri, ˌekstrəˈɔːr-/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: extraordinarius , from extra ordinem 'out of the usual course' , from ordo 'order' ]
1 . very unusual or surprising:
It took an extraordinary amount of work.
It’s extraordinary that he should make exactly the same mistake again.
quite/most extraordinary British English :
Chris’s behaviour that morning was quite extraordinary.
extraordinary thing to do/say/happen
What an extraordinary thing to do!
how extraordinary! British English spoken (=used to express surprise)
2 . very much greater or more impressive than usual SYN incredible :
a woman of extraordinary beauty
an extraordinary talent
3 . extraordinary meeting/session etc a meeting which takes place in addition to the usual ones
4 . envoy/ambassador/minister extraordinary an official employed for a special purpose, in addition to the usual officials
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ surprising making you feel surprised:
It’s surprising how quickly you get used to it.
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We got some very surprising results.
▪ astonishing/astounding very surprising. Astounding sounds a little more formal and a little stronger than astonishing :
The results of the tests were astounding.
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Things are changing at an astonishing speed.
▪ extraordinary very unusual and surprising:
It is extraordinary that such a young boy should be so good at maths.
▪ amazing very surprising – used especially about good or impressive things:
an amazing achievement
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It’s amazing what you can do when you really try.
▪ staggering very surprising, especially by being so large:
The project cost a staggering $8 million.
▪ unbelievable ( also incredible ) so surprising that you can hardly believe it:
It is unbelievable that she is only the same age as me.
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The incredible thing is that he thinks he is ugly.