Extraordinary vs. Ordinary: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 5, 2023
Extraordinary refers to something exceptional and beyond the ordinary, while ordinary refers to what is common, usual, or expected.
Key Differences
Extraordinary and ordinary are two contrasting terms that denote different levels of uniqueness and commonness. Extraordinary is a term used to describe something that is beyond what is usual, ordinary, regular, or established. It signifies something that is exceptional, remarkable, and stands out due to its qualities or characteristics. This term is often attributed to instances, objects, or people that surpass the average or common standards, showcasing a level of superiority, uniqueness, or rarity in various aspects.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Conversely, ordinary refers to the regular, usual, or customary condition or state of being. It is something that conforms to the common or prevalent type and does not possess any distinctive, unique, or exceptional features or qualities. Ordinary can describe everyday occurrences, common people, or regular objects that do not deviate from the established norms or do not display any unusual characteristics or abilities. The term is used to denote the lack of exceptionality or specialty in any given context.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
The distinction between extraordinary and ordinary is essentially a measure of uniqueness and commonness. While extraordinary items, people, or events are distinguished by their rareness and exceptionality, ordinary ones are characterized by their prevalence and conformity to common standards. Extraordinary is synonymous with exceptional, unparalleled, and uncommon, depicting a state or condition that is not ordinary. On the other hand, ordinary is synonymous with standard, normal, and usual, depicting a state or condition that is conventional and expected.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Extraordinary occurrences make us pause and reflect due to their unexpected and remarkable nature, challenging our perceptions and understanding of what is considered common or usual. They can inspire awe, admiration, and curiosity as they defy the norms and exceed the limitations of the ordinary. In contrast, ordinary occurrences are part of our daily experiences and do not usually provoke much thought or reflection as they align with our expectations and experiences of what is considered normal or typical.
Janet White
Sep 23, 2023
In summary, extraordinary refers to the unusual, exceptional, and remarkable, while ordinary pertains to the common, regular, and customary. The difference between the two lies in the level of uniqueness, exceptionality, and commonness they embody.
Harlon Moss
Sep 23, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Beyond what is usual, ordinary, or established.
Conforming to the common or prevalent type.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Uniqueness
Exceptional, rare, and stands out.
Common, prevalent, and conforms to norms.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Connotation
Positive, implying superiority or distinctiveness.
Neutral, implying normality or averageness.
Janet White
Sep 23, 2023
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Extraordinary and Ordinary Definitions
Extraordinary
Surpassing the common degree or measure.
His generosity is truly extraordinary.
Harlon Moss
Sep 23, 2023
Ordinary
Lacking special features; simple.
He led an ordinary life, content with simple pleasures.
Janet White
Sep 23, 2023
Extraordinary
Beyond what is usual or ordinary.
The magician performed extraordinary tricks.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Extraordinary
Remarkable and outstanding.
It was an extraordinary achievement to win the gold medal.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
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Ordinary
Having no special ability, quality, or purpose
Ordinary people.
Ordinary black tea.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Extraordinary
Exceptional in character.
Her extraordinary intellect was evident from a young age.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Ordinary
Not particularly good; not better than average
The service was good, but the food was very ordinary.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Extraordinary
Unusually great or extreme.
The concert was an extraordinary success.
Harlon Moss
Sep 23, 2023
Ordinary
(Law) Having direct authority to decide a case, rather than being delegated that power, as a judge.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
(Mathematics) Designating a differential equation containing no more than one independent variable.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
The usual or normal condition or course of events
Nothing out of the ordinary occurred.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Extraordinary
Employed or used for a special service, function, or occasion
A minister extraordinary.
An extraordinary professor.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
(Law) A judge with direct authority as opposed to delegated authority to decide a case.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
A division of the Roman Breviary containing the unchangeable parts of the office other than the Psalms.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Extraordinary
Special or supernumerary.
The physician extraordinary in a royal household
An extraordinary professor in a German university
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
A cleric, such as the residential bishop of a diocese, with ordinary jurisdiction over a specified territory.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
(Heraldry) One of the simplest and commonest charges, such as the bend and the cross.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Extraordinary
Beyond or out of the common order or method; not usual, customary, regular, or ordinary; as, extraordinary evils; extraordinary remedies.
Which disposeTo something extraordinary my thoughts.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Extraordinary
Exceeding the common degree, measure. or condition; hence, remarkable; uncommon; rare; wonderful; as, extraordinary talents or grandeur.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Extraordinary
Employed or sent upon an unusual or special service; as, an ambassador extraordinary.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Extraordinary
That which is extraordinary; - used especially in the plural; as, extraordinaries excepted, there is nothing to prevent success.
Their extraordinary did consist especially in the matter of prayers and devotions.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
A person having immediate jurisdiction in a given case of ecclesiastical law, such as the bishop within a diocese.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Extraordinary
Beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable;
Extraordinary authority
An extraordinary achievement
Her extraordinary beauty
Enjoyed extraordinary popularity
An extraordinary capacity for work
An extraordinary session of the legislature
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Extraordinary
Far more than usual or expected;
An extraordinary desire for approval
It was an over-the-top experience
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
(law) A judge with the authority to deal with cases himself or herself rather than by delegation.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Extraordinary
(of an official) serving an unusual or special function in addition to those of the regular officials;
An ambassador extraordinary
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
The chaplain of Newgate prison, who prepared condemned prisoners for death.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
(obsolete) Customary fare, one's regular daily allowance of food; hence a regular portion or allowance.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
(heraldry) One of the standard geometric designs placed across the center of a coat of arms, such as a pale or fess.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
The usual course of things; normal condition or health; a standard way of behaviour or action.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
(Christianity) A part of the Christian liturgy that is reasonably constant without regard to the date on which the service is performed.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
(obsolete) A devotional manual; a book setting our rules for proper conduct.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
(Christianity) A rule, or book of rules, prescribing the order of service, especially of Mass.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
Being part of the natural order of things; normal, customary, routine.
On an ordinary day I wake up at nine o'clock, work for six hours, and then go to the gym.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
Having no special characteristics or function; everyday, common, mundane; often deprecatory.
I live a very ordinary life most of the time, but every year I spend a week in Antarctica.
He looked so ordinary, I never thought he'd be capable of murder.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
Common; customary; usual.
Method is not less requisite in ordinary conversation that in writing.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
Of common rank, quality, or ability; not distinguished by superior excellence or beauty; hence, not distinguished in any way; commonplace; inferior; of little merit; as, men of ordinary judgment; an ordinary book.
An ordinary lad would have acquired little or no useful knowledge in such a way.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
An officer who has original jurisdiction in his own right, and not by deputation.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
The mass; the common run.
I see no more in you than in the ordinaryOf nature's salework.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
That which is so common, or continued, as to be considered a settled establishment or institution.
Spain had no other wars save those which were grown into an ordinary.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
Anything which is in ordinary or common use.
Water buckets, wagons, cart wheels, plow socks, and other ordinaries.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
A dining room or eating house where a meal is prepared for all comers, at a fixed price for the meal, in distinction from one where each dish is separately charged; a table d'hôte; hence, also, the meal furnished at such a dining room.
All the odd words they have picked up in a coffeehouse, or a gaming ordinary, are produced as flowers of style.
He exacted a tribute for licenses to hawkers and peddlers and to ordinaries.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
A charge or bearing of simple form, one of nine or ten which are in constant use. The bend, chevron, chief, cross, fesse, pale, and saltire are uniformly admitted as ordinaries. Some authorities include bar, bend sinister, pile, and others. See Subordinary.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
The expected or commonplace condition or situation;
Not out of the ordinary
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
Not exceptional in any way especially in quality or ability or size or degree;
Ordinary everyday objects
Ordinary decency
An ordinary day
An ordinary wine
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
Lacking special distinction, rank, or status; commonly encountered;
Average people
The ordinary (or common) man in the street
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Ordinary
Commonly encountered; usual.
It was just an ordinary day with no surprises.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Ordinary
Of no special quality; average.
It's an ordinary cup with no unique features.
Harlon Moss
Sep 23, 2023
Ordinary
Regular or normal.
She’s an ordinary person with an extraordinary dream.
Sara Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
Ordinary
Having no distinctive features.
The room was ordinary, with standard furniture.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
FAQs
Is being ordinary underrated?
It can be; ordinary can mean stable, consistent, and relatable, which are valuable qualities.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Does extraordinary always mean positive?
Not necessarily; it means beyond the ordinary, which can be either positive or negative based on context.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Is being extraordinary always better?
It can be subjective; being extraordinary can be beneficial in some circumstances, but sometimes being ordinary is valued.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Can an ordinary person do extraordinary things?
Absolutely, many ordinary individuals achieve extraordinary feats through effort, determination, and creativity.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Are extraordinary events always rare?
Typically, yes; they are deemed extraordinary because they deviate from the usual or common occurrences.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Can something ordinary become extraordinary?
Yes, changes in perspective, context, or enhancements can make ordinary things extraordinary.
Sara Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
Is the pursuit of the extraordinary stressful?
It can be, as it might involve facing challenges, uncertainties, and high expectations.
Sara Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
Do extraordinary people lead happier lives?
Not necessarily, as they might face high expectations and pressure, impacting happiness.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Can ordinary be unique?
Yes, as what's ordinary in one context can be unique in another.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 23, 2023
Is ordinary synonymous with boring?
Not always; what’s ordinary can be comforting and familiar, and it’s subjective.
Sara Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
Can an extraordinary life be fulfilling?
It can be fulfilling, but it may also come with challenges, and fulfillment is subjective.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 23, 2023
Is the ordinary life unremarkable?
It may seem unremarkable in comparison, but ordinary lives can have remarkable aspects and moments.
Janet White
Sep 23, 2023
Can ordinary people live extraordinary lives?
Yes, by embracing uniqueness, pursuing passions, and making a difference, ordinary people can live extraordinary lives.
Sara Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
Can the pursuit of the extraordinary lead to innovation?
Yes, striving for the extraordinary often drives innovation and the development of new ideas and solutions.
Harlon Moss
Sep 23, 2023
Can extraordinary be achieved by effort?
Effort can play a significant role in achieving the extraordinary, along with other factors like opportunity and luck.
Harlon Moss
Sep 23, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
