extraordinarily

gb/ɛkstɹˌɔɹdɪnˈɛɹəli/ us/ɛkstɹˌɔɹdɪnˈɛɹəli/

B2 English

~ 10000

Senses

0 senses

adverb B2 property

extremely; to an unusual extent

very, very much; extremely.

Usage pattern: extraordinarily [adjective/adverb]

Common mistake:

Learners sometimes place the adverb in an unnatural position, for example: *"He extraordinarily is smart" instead of "He is extraordinarily smart" or "He is extraordinarily clever." They may also confuse "extraordinary" (adjective) with "extraordinarily" (adverb), saying *"He is extraordinary smart" instead of "He is extraordinarily smart" or "He is extraordinarily clever."

Synonyms

extremely (Most common neutral alternative; slightly simpler and more frequent.) | incredibly (More informal and emotional; can sound more dramatic.)

Antonyms

slightly (Shows only a small degree, the opposite of a very great degree.) | moderately (Shows a middle or average degree instead of an extreme one.)

Collocations

Themes

communication |evaluation |emotions |core_vocabulary

Examples

The test was extraordinarily difficult, even for the top students.
She handled the crisis extraordinarily well under pressure.
Housing prices in that city are extraordinarily high.
He is an extraordinarily talented musician for his age.
The software is extraordinarily complex and takes months to learn.

Learner examples

This job is extraordinarily hard for me.
The baby is extraordinarily quiet today.
That actor is extraordinarily famous in my country.
The food in this restaurant is extraordinarily good.
She speaks English extraordinarily well.

adverb C1 property

in a highly unusual way

in a way that is not normal; very unusual or surprising.

Usage pattern: extraordinarily [verb/participle]

Common mistake:

Learners may not notice the difference between this sense and the more common meaning of "extremely". In this sense, the focus is on being unusual or surprising, not only on being strong in degree. Compare: "extraordinarily tall" (very tall) vs. "extraordinarily strange" (very unusual in character).

Synonyms

unusually (Focuses on being different from the usual; often slightly less strong and formal.) | remarkably (Highlights that something is surprising or worth noticing; often a bit more formal.)

Antonyms

ordinarily (Means in a normal or usual way, the opposite of being very unusual.) | normally (Describes the regular or expected way, not surprising or unusual.)

Collocations

Themes

evaluation |description |culture |core_vocabulary

Examples

The painting is extraordinarily rare, with only two others known to exist.
He remained extraordinarily calm while everyone else was panicking.
She has led an extraordinarily eventful life for someone so young.
The scientists observed an extraordinarily unusual pattern in the data.
They showed an extraordinarily generous spirit during the disaster.

Learner examples

The village is extraordinarily quiet in winter.
He was extraordinarily lucky to survive the accident.
Her ideas are extraordinarily creative for a child.
The bird is extraordinarily rare in this country.
She stayed extraordinarily calm during the storm.

Grammar

Dictionary form

extraordinarily

IPA

GB/ɛkstɹˌɔɹdɪnˈɛɹəli/

US/ɛkstɹˌɔɹdɪnˈɛɹəli/

Syllables & stress

ex - traordin - ar - ily (4 syllables)

Stress on 4th syllable (ily)

Word forms

Noun

Base: extraordinarily
Plural: extraordinarilies

Word family

Forms

extraordinarilies noun

Core family

extraordinary adjective B1

Negative and opposite forms

ordinary adjective A2 ordinarily adverb B2

Expressions