What does the prefix ultra- mean?
Ultra- comes from the Latin ultra, which means "beyond" or "on the other side". It shows that something goes beyond normal limits or is at an extreme degree.
ESEN
Prefix · beyond / extreme
ultra-
Signals beyond normal limits or an extreme degree: ultraviolet, ultrasound, ultramarathon.
Literary
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
Ultra- in politics and technology
In political speech, ultra- names extreme ideological positions, and it usually carries a connotation of excess or fanaticism. In technology, on the other hand, ultra- is a positive word: it is used to say that something is very thin, very sharp or very portable. The same prefix can therefore sound critical or admiring, depending on the field.
How it is used
Attaches to nouns and adjectives:
- ultra- + physical phenomenonviolet → ultravioletsound → ultrasoundsonic → ultrasonicmarathon → ultramarathon
- ultra- + ideological/degree adjectiveconservative → ultra-conservativemodern → ultramodernthin → ultra-thinhigh → ultra-high
Pronunciation: /ˈʌltrə/. Hyphenated when preceding adjectives or in informal use.
How it is pronounced
ultra-/ˈʌltrə/
Tap the button to hear how the prefix sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.
Examples
Root word
With ultra-
In a phrase
- violetultravioletSunscreen protects against ultraviolet radiation even on cloudy days.
- soundultrasoundThe doctor used an ultrasound to check the baby's development at 20 weeks.
- sonicultrasonicBats navigate by emitting ultrasonic pulses and listening for echoes.
- marathonultramarathonShe finished a 100km ultramarathon through the desert in fourteen hours.
- conservativeultra-conservativeThe ultra-conservative faction refused any compromise on policy.
- modernultramodernThe ultramodern building clashed with its Victorian neighbours.
- thinultra-thinThe new laptop is ultra-thin and targets professionals who travel often.
Common mistakes
ultraviolet = only the harmful sun rays that cause sunburn
ultraviolet = the entire UV spectrum; only certain ranges cause burns
Ultraviolet radiation is divided into UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA penetrates deeper into skin (ageing). UVB causes sunburn and activates vitamin D. UVC is absorbed by the atmosphere. UV also has beneficial uses: disinfection, forensic analysis, banknote authentication. Not all UV is harmful.
ultrasound = only pregnancy scans
ultrasound = any sound above 20 kHz; medical scans are just one application
"Ultrasound" is any sound with a frequency above 20,000 Hz (the upper limit of human hearing). Applications include: medical imaging (pregnancy, organs), jewellery and equipment cleaning, structural crack detection, bat and dolphin navigation, and plastic welding.
A trick to remember it
Think of an ultramarathon, far beyond the normal distance: ultra- = beyond normal, extreme. ultraviolet, ultrasound.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
"The sunscreen offers protection against ___ radiation, which can damage skin even on cloudy days."
Exercise 3 · Pick the right one
What does "ultra-" signal when used with political adjectives like "ultra-conservative"?
Frequently asked questions
What does the prefix ultra- mean in English?
The prefix ultra- signals beyond normal limits or an extreme degree: ultraviolet, ultrasound, ultramarathon.
How do you pronounce ultra-?
The prefix ultra- is pronounced /ˈʌltrə/. For example, "ultraviolet".
Can you give an example of a word with ultra-?
"violet" becomes "ultraviolet". It is a typical example of the ultra- prefix.
Other useful prefixes
extra-
Signals outside of, beyond, or in an additional degree: extraordinary, extraterrestrial, extracurricular.
hyper-
Signals excess or a level above normal: hyperactive, hypertension, hyperbole, hyperlink.
super-
Signals a superior level or top quality: superhero, supernatural, supermarket, superhuman.
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