3 ADJ [ADJ n] An extraordinary meeting is arranged specially to deal with a particular situation or problem, rather than happening regularly. [FORMAL ] □ …at an extraordinary meeting of the sport's ruling body.
ex|trapo|late / I kstræ p ə le I t/ (extrapolates , extrapolating , extrapolated ) VERB If you extrapolate from known facts, you use them as a basis for general statements about a situation or about what is likely to happen in the future. [FORMAL ] □ [V + from ] Extrapolating from his American findings, he reckons about 80% of these deaths might be attributed to smoking. □ [V n + from ] It is unhelpful to extrapolate general trends from one case. ● ex|trapo|la|tion / I kstræ pəle I ʃ ə n/ (extrapolations ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] His estimate of half a million HIV positive cases was based on an extrapolation of the known incidence of the virus.
e xtra-sensory perce ption also extrasensory perception N‑UNCOUNT Extra-sensory perception means knowing without using your ordinary senses such as sight and hearing. Some people believe this is possible. The abbreviation ESP is also used.
extra|ter|res|trial /e kstrət I re striəl/ (extraterrestrials ) also extra-terrestrial
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Extraterrestrial means happening, existing, or coming from somewhere beyond the planet Earth. [FORMAL ] □ NASA has started a 10-year search for extraterrestrial intelligence. □ …extraterrestrial rocks.
2 N‑COUNT Extraterrestrials are living creatures that some people think exist or may exist in another part of the universe.
e x|tra ti me N‑UNCOUNT If a game of football, hockey, or basketball goes into extra time , the game continues for a set period after it would usually have ended because both teams have the same score. [BRIT ] □ Cambridge won 2–0 after extra time. in AM, use overtime
ex|trava|gance / I kstræ vəgəns/ (extravagances )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Extravagance is the spending of more money than is reasonable or than you can afford. □ …gross mismanagement and financial extravagance. □ When the company went under, tales of his extravagance surged through the industry.
2 N‑COUNT An extravagance is something that you spend money on but cannot really afford. □ Her only extravagance was horses.
ex|trava|gant / I kstræ vəgənt/
1 ADJ Someone who is extravagant spends more money than they can afford or uses more of something than is reasonable. □ We are not extravagant; restaurant meals are a luxury and designer clothes are out. ● ex|trava|gant|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Jeff had shopped extravagantly for presents for the whole family.
2 ADJ Something that is extravagant costs more money than you can afford or uses more of something than is reasonable. □ Her Aunt Sallie gave her an uncharacteristically extravagant gift. □ …her extravagant lifestyle. ● ex|trava|gant|ly ADV [ADV adj/-ed] □ For such a beautifully engineered machine, it is not extravagantly priced .
3 ADJ Extravagant behaviour is extreme behaviour that is often done for a particular effect. □ He was extravagant in his admiration of Hellas. □ They may make extravagant shows of generosity. ● ex|trava|gant|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ …extravagantly bizarre clothes.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Extravagant claims or ideas are unrealistic or impractical. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ They have to compete by adorning their products with ever more extravagant claims. □ Don't be afraid to consider apparently extravagant ideas.
ex|trava|gan|za / I kstræ vəgæ nzə/ (extravaganzas ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] An extravaganza is a very elaborate and expensive show or performance. □ …a magnificent firework extravaganza. □ …an all-night musical extravaganza.
ex|treme ◆◇◇ / I kstriː m/ (extremes )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Extreme means very great in degree or intensity. □ The girls were afraid of snakes and picked their way along with extreme caution. □ …people living in extreme poverty. □ …the author's extreme reluctance to generalise.
2 ADJ You use extreme to describe situations and behaviour which are much more severe or unusual than you would expect, especially when you disapprove of them because of this. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The extreme case was Poland, where 29 parties won seats. □ It is hard to imagine Lineker capable of anything so extreme.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use extreme to describe opinions, beliefs, or political movements which you disapprove of because they are very different from those that most people would accept as reasonable or normal. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ This extreme view hasn't captured popular opinion. □ …the racist politics of the extreme right.
4 N‑COUNT [usu pl] You can use extremes to refer to situations or types of behaviour that have opposite qualities to each other, especially when each situation or type of behaviour has such a quality to the greatest degree possible. □ [+ of ] …a 'middle way' between the extremes of success and failure. □ [+ of ] They can withstand extremes of temperature and weather without fading or cracking.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] The extreme end or edge of something is its furthest end or edge. □ …the room at the extreme end of the corridor. □ …winds from the extreme north.
6 PHRASE If a person goes to extremes or takes something to extremes , they do or say something in a way that people consider to be unacceptable, unreasonable, or foolish. □ [+ of ] He went to the extremes of installing the most advanced safety devices in his house. □ The doctor told me not to mention dieting to her in case she took it to the extreme.
7 PHRASE You use in the extreme after an adjective in order to emphasize what you are saying, especially when you want to indicate that it is something which is undesirable or very surprising. [FORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ It is proving controversial in the extreme. SYNONYMS extreme ADJ 1