Cool MateExtraordinary vs Unbelievable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Extraordinary
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Unbelievable
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: Unbelievable
| Extraordinary | Unbelievable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈstrɔːdnri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈstrɔːrdəneri/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ʌn.bɪˈliː.və.bəl//🇺🇸 //ʌn.bɪˈlivə.bəl// |
| Meaning | very unusual or remarkable | Not able to be believed; hard to accept as true. |
| Example | Her performance was nothing short of extraordinary, captivating the entire audience. | His story about climbing Everest without oxygen was simply unbelievable. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | appear, be, feel, most, really, truly | unbelievable story, unbelievable situation, unbelievable coincidence, unbelievable talent, unbelievable prices |
| Antonyms | ordinary, common, usual | credible, believable, plausible |
| 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. | Confused with 'incredible' - both mean similar things but can have different connotations., Used too casually in serious contexts., Often mispronounced by stressing the wrong syllable. |
| 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. | Used to express astonishment or disbelief. It can be positive or negative depending on context (e.g., an unbelievable achievement vs. an unbelievable lie). |
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Frequently asked questions: Extraordinary vs Unbelievable
What's the difference between Extraordinary and Unbelievable?
Extraordinary: very unusual or remarkable Unbelievable: Not able to be believed; hard to accept as true.
Which is more common: Extraordinary and Unbelievable?
Unbelievable 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. Unbelievable: His story about climbing Everest without oxygen was simply unbelievable.
Can I use Extraordinary and Unbelievable interchangeably?
Not always. Extraordinary and Unbelievable 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.