Ultra
/ˈʌl.trə/noun
Beyond, on the far side of, or to an extreme degree.
Did you know?In Latin, ultra was a directional word meaning “beyond,” and it later became a powerhouse prefix for extremes, from ultramodern to ultraviolent.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sel-
“to go, drive, or move forward”
Latin
Latin
ultra
“beyond, on the farther side of”
Late Latin
Latin
ulterior
“farther, on the farther side”
Medieval Latin
Latin
ultimatus
“brought to the furthest point; last, final”
Old French
Old French
ultra
“beyond, on the other side”
Modern English
English
ultra
“beyond the usual limit; extremely or excessively”
Explore more surprising origins