Cool MateExtraordinary vs Incredible
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Extraordinary
Incredible
| Extraordinary | Incredible | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈstrɔːdnri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈstrɔːrdəneri/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkredəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈkredəbl/"]/ |
| Meaning | very unusual or remarkable | Very surprising or hard to believe. |
| Example | Her performance was nothing short of extraordinary, captivating the entire audience. | The magician's tricks were absolutely incredible! |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | appear, be, feel, most, really, truly | be, seem, sound, really, truly, absolutely, to, be, seem, sound, really, truly, absolutely, to |
| Antonyms | ordinary, common, usual | ordinary, common, unremarkable |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'ordinary', thinking they are similar., Using inappropriately in very casual chats; feels too formal., Mispronouncing the word, especially the 'extra-' part. | Using 'incredible' as a noun instead of an adjective., Confusing 'incredible' with 'incredulous' (which means unable to believe)., Overusing 'incredible' to describe everyday situations. |
| Usage notes | Use 'extraordinary' to describe something very special or impressive. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but try to avoid it in everyday casual conversations. | Use 'incredible' to describe something amazing or extraordinary. It is appropriate in both casual and serious contexts, but avoid it in overly formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Extraordinary vs Incredible
What's the difference between Extraordinary and Incredible?
Extraordinary: very unusual or remarkable Incredible: Very surprising or hard to believe.
Which is more common: Extraordinary and Incredible?
Incredible is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Extraordinary and Incredible?
Extraordinary is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Extraordinary and Incredible the same CEFR level?
Extraordinary: B2, Incredible: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Extraordinary and Incredible?
Extraordinary: adjective, Incredible: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Extraordinary: Her performance was nothing short of extraordinary, captivating the entire audience. Incredible: The magician's tricks were absolutely incredible!
Can I use Extraordinary and Incredible interchangeably?
Not always. Extraordinary and Incredible are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.