extraordinarily

extraordinarily — adverb

1. to an extent that is much greater than what is normal or expected

1.adverbB2
Definition

to an extent that is much greater than what is normal or expected

Example

Jisoo's performance in the final exam was extraordinarily good.

extraordinarily + adjective (good)

The garden was extraordinarily well cared for by the neighbours.

passive + extraordinarily + adverb

Common collocations
  • extraordinarily beautiful
  • extraordinarily difficult
  • extraordinarily important
  • extraordinarily powerful
  • extraordinarily successful
  • extraordinarily well
  • extraordinarily quickly
  • extraordinarily carefully
Synonyms
  • extremely

    more common and neutral in register; less literary than extraordinarily

  • remarkably

    emphasises that the degree is worthy of notice or surprising

  • exceptionally

    stresses being outside the normal range, often used with positive qualities

  • incredibly

    more informal and carries a tone of disbelief or amazement

Antonyms
  • slightly

    opposite pole on the degree scale — a small amount rather than a great one

  • barely

    suggests the opposite extreme, i.e. almost not at all

Grammar Patterns

extraordinarily + adjective

extraordinarily + adverb

verb + extraordinarily

Usage Note

Carries stronger emphasis than 'very' and is more typical in formal or written registers. Commonly placed directly before the adjective or adverb it modifies. Avoid overuse in casual conversation, where 'extremely' or 'really' often sound more natural.

Common Mistakes

The food at the night market was extraordinarily cheap.
The food at the night market was surprisingly cheap.
'extraordinarily' sounds overly dramatic for a trivial everyday observation; use a milder intensifier.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four words intensify degree, but they differ in register and connotation. 'Extremely' is the most neutral and widely used: it simply pushes the quality to a high level without extra flavour. 'Remarkably' adds a layer of surprise — the speaker finds the degree worth commenting on ('remarkably calm under pressure'). 'Exceptionally' stresses that the quality is outside the normal range, often in formal or evaluative contexts ('exceptionally high standards'). 'Incredibly' is the most conversational and carries a tone of disbelief or strong enthusiasm ('incredibly fast refund'). 'Extraordinarily' sits between 'extremely' and 'exceptionally' in register — slightly more formal than 'extremely' but without the statistical overtones of 'exceptionally'. In writing, 'extraordinarily' is preferred when the speaker wants to signal that the degree is striking and noteworthy, not merely high.

extremely ↗remarkably ↗exceptionally ↗incredibly ↗

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Formed by adding the adverb suffix '-ly' to 'extraordinary'. The adjective 'extraordinary' comes from Latin 'extraordinarius', a combination of 'extra' (outside) and 'ordo, ordin-' (order, rank), literally meaning 'outside the usual order'. The word entered English through French 'extraordinaire' in the 15th–16th centuries.