Cool MateExtraordinary vs That's unbelievable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Extraordinary
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
That's unbelievable
Top 2,000 (common)
| Extraordinary | That's unbelievable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈstrɔːdnri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈstrɔːrdəneri/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ˌʌnˈbiːləvəbl//🇺🇸 //ðæts ˌʌnˈbiːləvəbəl// |
| Meaning | very unusual or remarkable | It's hard to believe; it's shocking. |
| Example | Her performance was nothing short of extraordinary, captivating the entire audience. | When she won the lottery, I thought, 'That's unbelievable!' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | appear, be, feel, most, really, truly | That's unbelievable news, That's unbelievable behavior, That's unbelievable luck |
| 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. | Used in negative situations instead of positive ones., Saying 'This is unbelievable' instead of 'That's unbelievable' in conversations., Confusing with 'That's incredible' which has a more positive connotation. |
| 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. | Commonly used in casual conversation to express surprise or disbelief. Avoid in overly formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Extraordinary vs That's unbelievable
What's the difference between Extraordinary and That's unbelievable?
Extraordinary: very unusual or remarkable That's unbelievable: It's hard to believe; it's shocking.
Can you show an example of each?
Extraordinary: Her performance was nothing short of extraordinary, captivating the entire audience. That's unbelievable: When she won the lottery, I thought, 'That's unbelievable!'
Can I use Extraordinary and That's unbelievable interchangeably?
Not always. Extraordinary and That's 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.