extraordinaire

Extraordinaire is an adjective that means “outstanding” or “remarkable.” It is always used after the noun it describes, as in a writer extraordinaire.

Extraordinaire is most commonly used to describe a person with exceptional talent. Unlike most English adjectives, extraordinaire is used postpositively, meaning it must immediately follow the noun that it describes.

Example: My grandmother makes the most delicious dishes, and my whole family considers her a chef extraordinaire.

Extraordinaire, a French word meaning “extraordinary,” is first recorded in the English language around the 1940s. The prefix extra- means “beyond.” The root word ordinary means “normal.” The suffix -aire is typically used to indicate a person characterized by the root word that precedes it—in this case, an extraordinary person. You’ve seen this suffix elsewhere, most commonly in millionaire and billionaire.

For this reason, it could be easy to mistake extraordinaire for a noun, especially because it is always used after the noun or person it describes. For example, a great gymnast could be described as an extraordinary gymnast or a gymnast extraordinaire. Although both phrases have the same meaning, extraordinaire follows the noun. The unusual placement of extraordinaire stems from its French origin. As one of the Romance languages, French calls for adjectives to follow nouns. (The same thing goes for Spanish and Italian.)

Because of how unique extraordinaire is, it is not frequently used. Calling something extraordinary is much more common.

What are some synonyms for extraordinaire?

• exceptional
• fantastic
• incredible
• marvelous
• phenomenal

What are some words that share a root or word element with extraordinaire?

 

• ordinal
• extravagant
• debonair

What are some words that often get used in discussing extraordinaire?

 

• expert
• proficiency

What are some words extraordinaire may be commonly confused with?

 

• extraordinary

 

Extraordinaire isn’t a word you use every day. Unless you’re really emphasizing a person’s exceptional abilities, it may sound a bit silly.

Hailing from the humble Twin City Sekondi-Takoradi, beat maker and rapper extraordinaire Levit8 is a force to be reckoned with.With a taste for the 808s, snares, hi-hats, synths and dominating yet groovy bass lines, Levit8 has been dubbed as the https://t.co/rG5X2BoXTA pic.twitter.com/rGz8ceCwAe

— Musicloom (@Musicloomgh) December 31, 2019

Cover Reveal!! This, my first full length novel, has been graced with a layer of grandeur by this gorgeous wraparound cover design. Much thanks, again, to @JournalStone and to artist extraordinaire Mikio Murakami!

Coming 7/26/19: DOORWAYS TO THE DEADEYEhttps://t.co/RRA82MjGXr pic.twitter.com/EED4ReOSUe

— Eric J. Guignard (@ericjguignard) May 21, 2019

For more than 50 years, Mike Myers has been an avid supporter of @TarletonState. He is a distinguished alumnus, hall of fame athlete and philanthropist extraordinaire. Today, we had the honor of presenting him with an honorary doctorate degree. pic.twitter.com/InNq2NQpH2

— Dr. James Hurley (@tarletonprez) August 9, 2019

 

Is extraordinaire used correctly in the following sentence?

His music was extraordinaire.