Cool MateExtraordinary vs Really astonishing
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Extraordinary
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Really astonishing
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Extraordinary
| Extraordinary | Really astonishing | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈstrɔːdnri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈstrɔːrdəneri/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈrɪəli əˈstɒnɪʃɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈrɪli əˈstɑnɪʃɪŋ// |
| Meaning | very unusual or remarkable | Very surprising or impressive. |
| Example | Her performance was nothing short of extraordinary, captivating the entire audience. | The view from the mountain was really astonishing. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | appear, be, feel, most, really, truly | really astonishing results, really astonishing story, really astonishing talent |
| Antonyms | ordinary, common, usual | - |
| 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 'really' with weak adjectives like 'nice'., Confusing 'astonishing' with 'astonished' (the latter is a feeling)., Overusing 'really' instead of using other intensifiers. |
| 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 'really astonishing' to emphasize surprise or impressiveness. Common in spoken and written English but avoid in formal academic writing. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Extraordinary vs Really astonishing
What's the difference between Extraordinary and Really astonishing?
Extraordinary: very unusual or remarkable Really astonishing: Very surprising or impressive.
Which is more common: Extraordinary and Really astonishing?
Extraordinary is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Extraordinary: Her performance was nothing short of extraordinary, captivating the entire audience. Really astonishing: The view from the mountain was really astonishing.
Can I use Extraordinary and Really astonishing interchangeably?
Not always. Extraordinary and Really astonishing 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.