extraordinaire

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'extraordinaire' is correct and usable in written English.
It is derived from the French word 'extraordinaire' meaning 'extraordinary' or 'out of the ordinary'. You can use 'extraordinaire' to describe something or someone that is exceptional, remarkable, or extraordinary in a positive manner. It is often used in a formal or literary context, adding a touch of grandeur or sophistication to your writing or speech. Example: The chef prepared an extraordinaire meal for the guests, with a perfect balance of flavors and exquisite presentation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts & Culture

General Usage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The curator had become the art world's ambassador extraordinaire.

The Guardian - Books

These days he acts as RTÉ's resident wind-up merchant and pundit extraordinaire.

The Guardian - Sport

Not to mention the $185m the institute has taken from life member of the MIT board and disinformation bankroller extraordinaire, David Koch.

The Guardian - Opinion

RICHARD FEYNMAN, Nobel laureate and physicist extraordinaire, called it a "magic number" and its value "one of the greatest damn mysteries of physics".

The Economist

LAST week, I participated in a panel discussion on open questions in economics with professor and economics blogger extraordinaire Karl Smith.

The Economist

Our former PM pays tribute in the opening breath of his memoirs to Bob Barnett, the "lawyer, friend and negotiator extraordinaire" who acted for Blair in place of an orthodox literary agent and eased his passage to that £4m-odd deal with Random House.

Independent

"It's a young male," says my guide, Chitral Jayatilake, leopard photographer extraordinaire.

Independent

On Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad, the three multimillion-selling albums that defined him as a solo artist, he was superbly seconded by Quincy Jones, the producer extraordinaire.

Independent

They say: "If I said 'no' [to the show] Linda Carter would never forgive me!" Who: Celebrity chef extraordinaire, still hanging around from the late Nineties.

Independent

Joffrey A pusillanimous hate-figure extraordinaire, on to whom the GoT fanbase likes to displace its quiet rage and existential despair at the end of a long Monday.

Independent

Swindler extraordinaire Helg Sgarbi, the Swiss gigolo who was handed a six- year jail sentence this week for defrauding a string of love-struck women out of a total of £8.5m, is the least likely of Lotharios.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "extraordinaire" to add a touch of sophistication and flair when describing someone or something as exceptionally skilled or remarkable, particularly in creative or artistic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "extraordinaire" excessively in highly formal or technical writing, as it can sound affected or out of place. Opt for more straightforward synonyms like "exceptional" or "outstanding" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

"Extraordinaire" functions primarily as an adjective, typically following the noun it modifies. It emphasizes an exceptional quality or skill associated with that noun, as seen in Ludwig's examples like "chef extraordinaire" or "photographer extraordinaire". Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in describing remarkable individuals or things.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Arts & Culture

32%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extraordinaire" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective, often employed to denote someone or something of exceptional skill or quality. As confirmed by Ludwig, its origins lie in French, adding a layer of sophistication to its usage. While versatile, it’s best suited for contexts where a touch of elegance is desired, avoiding overuse in overly formal or technical settings. Related terms such as "remarkable" and "outstanding" provide suitable alternatives depending on the desired nuance. The most authoritative sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker, frequently employ the word in neutral contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remarkable

Emphasizes being worthy of attention or notice due to being special or unusual.

outstanding

Highlights superiority and distinction above others of the same kind.

exceptional

Suggests deviation from the norm in a positive and often rare way.

prodigious

Implies impressively great in extent, size, or degree.

world-class

Indicates the highest standard of quality or skill globally.

distinguished

Suggests recognition for excellence and high achievement.

matchless

Highlights the lack of an equal or comparable entity.

unrivaled

Similar to "matchless", but emphasizes the competitive aspect of superiority.

incomparable

Stress being beyond comparison, often due to unique qualities.

peerless

Emphasizes that someone or something has no equal in skill or quality.

FAQs

How is "extraordinaire" typically used in a sentence?

"Extraordinaire" usually follows the noun it modifies, often to describe a person's exceptional skill or talent, such as "chef "extraordinaire"".

What are some alternatives to "extraordinaire"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "remarkable", "outstanding", or "exceptional" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "extraordinaire" appropriate for formal writing?

While "extraordinaire" can add a touch of elegance, it might be too informal for highly technical or academic writing. Consider the tone and audience when deciding whether to use it.

What is the origin of the word "extraordinaire"?

"Extraordinaire" comes from French, where it means "extraordinary" or "out of the ordinary". Its use in English retains this sense of exceptional quality or skill.