extraordinarily small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extraordinarily small" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is significantly smaller than usual or expected. Example: "The particles in the experiment were extraordinarily small, making them difficult to observe with standard equipment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Young rats exposed to methoxychlor had extraordinarily small testes.

The New Yorker

"This is an extraordinarily small amount of power for such a dramatic lighting effect".

The New York Times

"The likelihood that things would work out well is extraordinarily small".

The New York Times

"We can serve hundreds of millions of devices from an extraordinarily small number of computers".

The New York Times - Tech

But what struck Howard and me was how extraordinarily small that world was.

The Guardian - Books

And so an extraordinarily small number of voters showed up Tuesday to add to the mess.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

The artist who probes nature directly with nothing but a brush or pencil is evidently rare these days, which makes the extraordinarily sensitive, small graphite drawings of outdoor scenes by Tom Fairs at K S Art all the more arresting.

The New York Times - Arts

"Little Wars" produced what he described as "little brisk fights" in a game that was "in a dozen aspects extraordinarily like a small real battle".

The New York Times - Books

Mostly made for the tombs of nobles on Jaina, an island necropolis off the coast of what is now Campeche, these small, extraordinarily lifelike figures of modeled and painted clay depict human beings in every kind of activity.

The New York Times - Arts

If you know your partner is extraordinarily large or small, you can get a few backups just in case.

WikiHow

Most cars, especially new ones, are extraordinarily clean, but a small number are not.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "extraordinarily small" to emphasize the degree of smallness when you want to convey something is significantly smaller than expected or usual.

Common error

Avoid using "extraordinarily small" when a simpler term like "small" or "tiny" suffices. Overusing intensifiers can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

Adjective phrase modifying a noun. The phrase "extraordinarily small" functions to describe a noun, emphasizing that its size is remarkably less than what is typical or expected. It serves to intensify the characteristic of being small, making it a key descriptor.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

41%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extraordinarily small" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe something significantly smaller than usual. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific writing. When using "extraordinarily small", consider the context to ensure it adds meaningful emphasis, rather than being a redundant descriptor. Alternatives like "exceptionally tiny" or "remarkably minuscule" can be used for variety. Always consider clarity and avoid overuse to maintain strong, impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceptionally tiny

Emphasizes the tininess or minuteness to an exceptional degree.

remarkably minuscule

Highlights the extremely small size in a notable or remarkable way.

unusually petite

Suggests a small size that deviates from the norm, often used for delicate objects.

singularly diminutive

Emphasizes the small size as being unique or remarkable.

incredibly compact

Focuses on the small size combined with a dense or space-saving quality.

noticeably undersized

Highlights that the small size is easily observed or detected.

surprisingly slight

Indicates that the small size is unexpected or causes surprise.

strikingly minute

Emphasizes how the small size grabs attention.

uncommonly little

Indicates a level of smallness that is not frequently encountered.

unbelievably miniature

Focuses on the almost unbelievable tininess of something.

FAQs

How to use "extraordinarily small" in a sentence?

Use "extraordinarily small" to describe something that is significantly smaller than average. For example: "The risk was "extraordinarily small"."

What can I say instead of "extraordinarily small"?

Alternatives include "exceptionally tiny", "remarkably minuscule", or "unusually petite" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "very extraordinarily small"?

Yes, saying "very extraordinarily small" is generally redundant. The word "extraordinarily" already implies a high degree, so adding "very" doesn't add significant meaning.

Can "extraordinarily small" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "extraordinarily small" can be used in formal writing. It's appropriate for describing things that are notably smaller than expected in academic, scientific, or professional contexts.