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• extra
  extra

  adjective

  beyond or more than what is usual, expected, or necessary; additional.
• extra-
  extra-

  a prefix meaning “outside,” “beyond,” freely used as an English formative.

extra

¹ American  

[ek-struh] / ˈɛk strə /

adjective

1. beyond or more than what is usual, expected, or necessary; additional.

   an extra copy of a newspaper; an extra charge.

2. larger or better than what is usual.

   an extra binding.

3. Slang.

   1. extremely good.

   2. over the top; extreme or excessive.

      Her behavior is just so extra, so dramatic!

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noun

1. something extra or additional.

   the little amenities and extras that make life pleasant.

2. an additional expense.

3. a special edition of a newspaper, other than a regular edition.

4. something of superior quality.

5. Movies, Television. a person hired by the day to play a minor part, as a member of a mob or crowd.

6. an additional worker.

7. Cricket. Usually extras. a score or run not made from the bat, as a bye or a wide.

adverb

1. in excess of the usual or specified amount.

   an extra high price.

2. beyond the ordinary degree; unusually; uncommonly.

   done extra well; extra large.

extra- ² American  

1. a prefix meaning “outside,” “beyond,” freely used as an English formative.

   extrajudicial; extraterritorial; extra-atmospheric.

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extra ¹ British  

/ ˈɛkstrə /

adjective

1. being more than what is usual or expected; additional

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noun

1. a person or thing that is additional

2. something for which an additional charge is made

   the new car had many extras

3. an additional edition of a newspaper, esp to report a new development or crisis

4. films an actor or person temporarily engaged, usually for crowd scenes

5. cricket a run not scored from the bat, such as a wide, no-ball, bye, or leg bye

6. something that is better than usual in quality

adverb

1. unusually; exceptionally

   an extra fast car

extra- ² British  

prefix

1. outside or beyond an area or scope

   extrasensory

   extraterritorial

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Etymology

Origin of extra¹

First recorded in 1770–80; by shortening of extraordinary

Origin of extra-²

< Latin, combining form of extrā (adv. and preposition) outside (of ), without

Explanation

Something extra is more than you need or more than you usually have. It's never a bad idea to bake extra chocolate chip cookies. Sometimes extra things are good, like the extra money you made this month or the extra attention you get on your birthday. Other times, they're not so great: nobody needs extra problems or extra traffic. Extra can also be an adverb, meaning "especially" or "unusually," like when your dog behaves extra well or you plan an extra special party for your friend. Extra comes from extraordinary, from the Latin root extra ordinem, "outside normal events."

Example Sentences

Once the paneling is clean, I then suggested that she very lightly sand the light areas on the paneling with extra- or super-fine sandpaper to just scuff up the existing clear coating.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 27, 2022

Plasmids, which consist of extra- chromosomal DNA, are also present in many species of bacteria and archaea.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

It turns out that nonbelievers are the ones doing most of the magical thinking when it comes to extra-, intra-, and ultraterrestrial beings.

From Slate • Oct. 18, 2021

The second stage of extra- and co-curricular reopening, scheduled for July 20-Aug.

From Washington Times • Jul. 3, 2020

For a fistful of pickups tailored extra- specially for this nightmarish scenario, try Cyranofeed, available at rates as low as— She was like, “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you at Marty’s.”

From "Feed" by M.T. Anderson

Related Words

• added
• additional
• ancillary
• auxiliary
• extraneous
• extraordinary
• fresh
• further
• leftover
• new
• other
• special
• supplemental
• supplementary
• unnecessary
• unused