extraordinary

/ɪkˈstrɔːdnri/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪkˈstrɔːrdəneri/ (ame, ipa) · /ik-ˈstrȯr-də-ˌner-ē ˌek-strə-ˈȯr-/ (ame, mw)

extraordinary — 形容詞

  • extraordinarypositive
  • more extraordinarycomparative
  • most extraordinarysuperlative

1. so unusual, surprising, or impressive that people pay special attention to it or

1.形容詞B2
釋義

非凡的

極不尋常，令人印象深刻

so unusual, surprising, or impressive that people pay special attention to it or talk about it

例句

The chef's extraordinary talent for combining unusual flavours earned her a Michelin star.

這位主廚將不尋常的風味結合在一起的非凡才華，為她贏得一顆米其林星。

collocation: extraordinary talent

It was extraordinary that a ten-year-old could solve a problem most adults found impossible.

一個十歲孩子能解出多數成年人覺得不可能的題目，實在是太不尋常了。

extraordinary + that-clause for surprising situations

同義詞
  • remarkable

    similar in meaning but often highlights that something is worth noticing or commenting on

  • incredible

    more informal and emotional; suggests the thing is hard to believe

  • exceptional

    focuses on being much better or greater than average, often in a positive way

  • phenomenal

    emphasises impressive success or scale, common in reviews and achievements

反義詞
  • ordinary

    normal and unremarkable — the direct opposite, sharing the same root

  • unremarkable

    nothing special or noteworthy

  • commonplace

    happening or appearing so often that it is not surprising

文法句型

extraordinary + noun

be + extraordinary

so extraordinary + that-clause

用法筆記

Can be used both before a noun ('an extraordinary achievement') and after a linking verb ('the results were extraordinary'). The 'so extraordinary that…' structure is common for expressing cause and effect.

常見錯誤

❌The weather today is extraordinary' (used for mildly unusual weather).
✅The weather today is extraordinary
💡it snowed in July!' — 'extraordinary' should describe things far beyond normal, not just slightly different.

2. held or called at a time that is not part of the usual schedule, typically about

2.形容詞B2
釋義

特別的

指臨時召開的會議或選舉

held or called at a time that is not part of the usual schedule, typically about a meeting or election arranged to handle a particular urgent matter

例句

The board called an extraordinary meeting to discuss the sudden drop in sales.

董事會召開了一場特別會議，討論銷售額突然下滑的問題。

attributive use: extraordinary meeting

An extraordinary general meeting was held on Tuesday to vote on the policy change.

星期二舉行了一場特別大會，就政策變更進行投票。

passive structure: extraordinary general meeting was held

同義詞
  • special

    broader and less formal; does not specifically imply being between regular meetings

  • emergency

    suggests a crisis or urgent danger rather than just a special purpose

  • unscheduled

    focuses on the lack of planning rather than the special purpose

反義詞
  • regular

    happening at the normal scheduled time

  • scheduled

    planned as part of the ordinary timetable

  • routine

    done as part of the usual procedure

文法句型

extraordinary + meeting

extraordinary + election

extraordinary + session

用法筆記

Only used attributively (before a noun). 'The meeting was extraordinary' would mean the meeting itself was remarkable, not that it was an extra unscheduled meeting. Common in corporate, political, and legal contexts.

常見錯誤

❌The meeting was extraordinary because it was unscheduled.
✅The board held an extraordinary meeting because of the crisis.
💡when describing an unscheduled meeting, 'extraordinary' must go before the noun.

3. appointed to a role that exists separately from the regular team or official hie

3.形容詞C1
釋義

特任的

在常規編制外特別任命的人員

appointed to a role that exists separately from the regular team or official hierarchy, often for a special project or a limited period of time

例句

Dr. Élise Moreau was appointed extraordinary professor of linguistics at the university.

Élise Moreau 博士獲任命為該大學語言學特任教授。

attributive use: extraordinary professor

The government sent an extraordinary envoy to negotiate the new trade agreement.

政府派遣了一位特使前往談判新的貿易協定。

attributive use: extraordinary envoy

同義詞
  • special

    broader and less formal, but can serve a similar meaning in diplomatic titles

  • temporary

    focuses on the limited duration rather than the special nature of the appointment

  • adjunct

    used in academia for a similar kind of additional or part-time appointment

反義詞
  • permanent

    a fixed, ongoing position rather than a special extra one

  • regular

    part of the normal staff structure

  • tenured

    a permanent academic appointment with job security

文法句型

extraordinary + professor

extraordinary + envoy

extraordinary + ambassador

用法筆記

Restricted to formal institutional contexts such as universities, diplomatic missions, and government bodies. Not used in everyday conversation. A person holding an 'extraordinary' role works alongside regular staff but is not part of the permanent establishment.

常見錯誤

❌He is an extraordinary professor' (without understanding the formal role).
✅She was appointed extraordinary professor of economics for a three-year term.
💡in this sense, 'extraordinary professor' is a specific academic title, not a description of teaching quality.