ultra

1 of 3

adjective

ul·​tra ˈəl-trə 

: going beyond others or beyond due limit : extreme

ultra

2 of 3

noun

: one that is ultra : extremist

ultra-

3 of 3

prefix

1

: beyond in space : on the other side : trans-

ultraviolet

2

: beyond the range or limits of : transcending : super-

ultramicroscopic

3

: beyond what is ordinary, proper, or moderate : excessively : extremely

ultramodern

Synonyms of ultra

Adjective

• extreme
• radical
• rabid
• revolutionary

Examples of ultra in a Sentence

Adjective

espouses a kind of ultra conservatism that even some members of his own party cannot support

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The infrastructure passed national acceptance in February 2025 and brings together ultra-low temperatures, strong magnetic fields, ultra-high pressure, and ultrafast optical systems in one location. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026

Instead of sending information as electrical signals through copper wire, fiber uses strands of ultra-pure glass—each one thinner than a human hair—to carry data as pulses of light. —Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026

Noun

Getty Images Espanyol ultras were caught on camera calling for the head of their ex-goalkeeper Joan Garcia, now at FC Barcelona, prior to the two teams meeting in a La Liga derby clash on Saturday. —Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 3 Jan. 2026

Fiorentina’s ultras refused to go to the game in protest at ticket prices but showed up on the outskirts of Pisa, smarting for a fight anyway. —James Horncastle, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

ultra-

Noun

ultra-

Prefix

Latin, from ultra beyond, adverb & preposition, from *ulter situated beyond — more at ulterior

First Known Use

Adjective

1818, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1819, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ultra

• ne plus ultra
• ultra-civilized
• ultra-commercial
• ultra-pasteurized
• ultra-processed
• ultra-rare
• ultra vires
• ultra-wide

Kids Definition

ultra

1 of 2 adjective

ul·​tra

ˈəl-trə

: going beyond others : extreme

ultra-

2 of 2 prefix

1

: beyond : exceeding the range or limits of

ultraviolet

2

: more than is usual

ultramodern

Etymology

Prefix

derived from Latin ultra "beyond"