extraordinarily

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'extraordinarily' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this word when you want to emphasize that something is significantly greater than normal or expected. For example, "The dress she wore for her wedding was extraordinarily beautiful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Given the diversity around your average dinner table, it would be extraordinarily difficult to come up with a joke that everyone found funny.

The Guardian

"On his watch, Ukip has done extraordinarily well.

The Guardian

We're in the most extraordinarily gigantic building boom that we've seen Rachel Schuett, town planner in San Francisco That picture is an apt symbol for the city's widening inequality.

The Guardian

"The paradox is that at a time when one in seven people around the world are migrants, we are seeing an extraordinarily harsh response to migration in the developed world," said IOM director general Swing.

The Guardian

The Longfords enjoyed an extraordinarily happy marriage, touched by tragedy with the death, in 1969, of their daughter Catherine in a car crash.

The Guardian

"We've spent a lot of time talking before about how difficult this Congress in particular has found it to be to do even simple things … this policy proposal is extraordinarily complicated and one that has significant consequences for the national security in this country and the basic civil liberties of the American people.

The Guardian

Extraordinarily, Nencini argues that Knox and Sollecito must have wiped the place clean of their DNA (but left an abundance of Guede's) because no traces of Knox's DNA were found anywhere in the apartment that she shared with the victim.

The Guardian - Opinion

An extraordinarily big thing might happen in the world of marine conservation next month at a meeting in Germany of a little known international commission.

The Guardian

He has an ability to immerse himself in an extraordinarily broad range of parts, seeming to change voice, accent and even physical appearance with each one.

The Guardian - Film

Despite having the slight air of someone who updates his own Wikipedia page, Owen is extraordinarily good value, not least because he lets rip with a succession of major spoilers relating to his character's future.

The Guardian

He described Bassingbourn barracks as "extraordinarily difficult to control".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, substitute "extraordinarily" for more common adverbs like 'very' or 'really' to enhance the sophistication of your vocabulary.

Common error

Avoid using "extraordinarily" too frequently in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler adverbs like 'very' or 'really' in these settings.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "extraordinarily" functions as an intensifier, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to denote a high degree or extent. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and shows its presence across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extraordinarily" is a versatile adverb used to emphasize a quality or action, denoting a high degree of exceptionality. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and examples from authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist highlight its prevalence in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While grammatically sound, it's advisable to use this word judiciously, especially in informal settings, to avoid sounding pretentious. Alternatives like "exceptionally" or "remarkably" can offer similar emphasis while maintaining a natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceptionally

Emphasizes the degree of being an exception, altering the focus from the ordinary to something that stands out from the norm.

remarkably

Highlights the noteworthiness or unusual nature of something, shifting focus to its capacity to cause comment or attention.

unusually

Indicates a deviation from the common or expected, emphasizing how something is different or atypical.

incredibly

Stresses the difficulty in believing something, underscoring its surprising or astonishing quality.

particularly

Signifies specificity or distinctiveness, often to emphasize certain aspects over others in a given situation.

singularly

Conveys the idea of uniqueness or one-of-a-kind quality, often emphasizing the distinctiveness of something.

uncommonly

Suggests that something is rare or not frequently encountered, emphasizing the infrequency of the attribute.

eminently

Highlights a high degree of positiveness or suitability, implying that something is very appropriate or deserving.

decidedly

Indicates a clear and unambiguous quality, focusing on the absence of doubt or hesitation about something.

patently

Emphasizes that something is obvious or easily recognized, highlighting its unmistakable or self-evident nature.

FAQs

How can I use "extraordinarily" in a sentence?

"Extraordinarily" is typically used to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, emphasizing the degree to which something is exceptional. For example, "She sang "extraordinarily well"" or "The view was "extraordinarily beautiful"".

What words are similar to "extraordinarily"?

Similar adverbs include "exceptionally", "remarkably", "unusually", and "incredibly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "extraordinarily" in formal writing?

While "extraordinarily" is suitable for formal writing, ensure it fits the overall tone and doesn't come across as forced or unnatural. Overuse can diminish its impact. Consider varying your vocabulary with synonyms.

What's the difference between "extraordinarily" and "ordinarily"?

"Extraordinarily" means 'to a very great degree; remarkably', while "ordinarily" means 'in a normal or usual way'. They are antonyms. One emphasizes exceptionality, while the other describes typicality.