ultra

¹

[uhl-truh]

adjective

1. going beyond what is usual or ordinary; excessive; extreme.

noun

1. an extremist, as in politics, religion, fashion, etc.

2. Military.,  Ultra, the British code name for intelligence gathered by decrypting German wireless communications enciphered on the Enigma machine during World War II.

ultra-

²

1. a prefix occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, with the basic meaning “on the far side of, beyond.” In relation to the base to which it is prefixed, ultra- has the senses “located beyond, on the far side of ” (ultramontane; ultraviolet ), “carrying to the furthest degree possible, on the fringe of ” (ultraleft; ultramodern ), “extremely” (ultralight ); nouns to which it is added denote, in general, objects, properties, phenomena, etc., that surpass customary norms, or instruments designed to produce or deal with such things (ultramicroscope; ultrasound; ultrastructure ).

ultra

¹

/ ˈʌltrə /

adjective

1. extreme or immoderate, esp in beliefs or opinions

noun

1. an extremist

ultra-

²

prefix

1. beyond or surpassing a specified extent, range, or limit

   ultramicroscopic

2. extreme or extremely

   ultramodern

Word History and Origins

Origin of ultra¹

Independent use of ultra-, or shortening of words prefixed with it

Origin of ultra²

From Latin ultrā (adverb and preposition) “on the far side,” derivative of ulter (unrecorded) “located beyond”

Word History and Origins

Origin of ultra¹

C19: from Latin: beyond, from ulter distant

Origin of ultra²

from Latin ultrā beyond; see _ultra

Example Sentences

Chinese automaker BYD sells ultra low-priced fully electric models, but they are not available in the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

He depends on the support of ultra nationalist extremists who want to annex the occupied territories and force Palestinians out, not grant them independence.

From BBC

"The Worldwide and Retaliatory tariffs are thus ultra vires and contrary to law."

From Salon

In the eastern Congo, where a civil war fueled by competition over that region’s rare-earth minerals has raged for nearly 30 years, the U.S. was the “ultra dominant” donor.

From Salon

Netanyahu's reluctant decision to allow in limited supplies was condemned by his ultra nationalist coalition partners.

From BBC