What does extraordinaire mean?
Extraordinaire is an elegant French-derived English word for someone of exceptional talent or achievement, as in “a culinary extraordinaire” or “a musical extraordinaire.” It can also function attributively to describe something that is exceptionally good or unusual, such as “a fashion extraordinaire.” In contemporary English, its most characteristic use is for a person whose abilities greatly exceed ordinary expectations. The word carries a strongly complimentary, somewhat celebratory tone and is especially common in writing about the arts, entertainment, food, fashion, and performance. Although extraordinary is the ordinary English cognate, extraordinaire has become a more distinctive and emphatic term. Its French pronunciation and spelling lend it a polished, international character, while its meaning remains focused on exceptional excellence rather than merely being unusual.
A person of exceptional talent, ability, or achievement, especially in a particular field.
"The improviser was a jazz extraordinaire whose performances drew audiences from every corner of the city."
Often used with a preceding field or role, such as “culinary,” “musical,” or “comedy.”
Exceptionally good, remarkable, or unusual.
"The finale was performance art of the highest order, truly an_pb extraordinary."
Usually used attributively before a noun identifying a person, role, or field; it is not normally used predicatively in modern standard English.
The plural is used when referring to multiple people of exceptional talent or achievement.
"The festival has attracted singers, dancers, and artists who are all coff extraordinary."
A culinary extraordinaire is more than a good cook: the phrase promises food so accomplished that it deserves its own standing ovation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does extraordinaire come from?
Extraordinaire was borrowed from French, where it developed from Latin extraordinarius, meaning “out of the ordinary” or “exceptional.” The Latin adjective is formed from extra, “outside,” and ordo, “order,” with the sense of something outside the usual order. It is a cognate of ordinary, extraordinary, extravagance, and extravagant; the English spelling without the final French -e preserves the older English form established in the sixteenth century.
Related word forms
How extraordinaire is actually used
The word is strongly associated with the arts, entertainment, food, and other fields in which exceptional individual achievement is recognized. It is more emphatic and often more flattering than simply “excellent,” and its French-derived sound and spelling give it an elegant, sometimes old-fashioned tone.
Easily confused with extraordinaire
Extraordinaire is a French loan used especially for an exceptionally talented person, whereas extraordinary is the standard English adjective meaning remarkable, unusual, or outstanding.