Words / B1

ik-STRORDNR-ee/ɪkˈstrɔːdnri/

Extraordinary means very unusual or special: an extraordinary meeting; extraordinary circumstances. Ordinary is a common opposite. Strange can be negative. Councils call an extraordinary meeting after a flood. Do not use it for a mildly interesting day.

Meaning

Very unusual, special, or surprising.

Examples

• “The council called an extraordinary meeting after the flood.”
• “She showed extraordinary patience in the resit year.”

Good to know

an extraordinary meeting / event / effort. Opposite: ordinary. Legal: extraordinary circumstances. Not a mildly busy Tuesday. Stress: ɪkˈstrɔːdnri.

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