extracurricular

American  

[ek-struh-kuh-rik-yuh-ler] / ˌɛk strə kəˈrɪk yə lər /

adjective

1. outside the regular curriculum or program of courses.

   football, orchestra, and other extracurricular activities.

2. outside one's regular work, responsibilities, or routine.

3. Informal. outside the conventional bounds of propriety or ethics.

   Does his wife know he has an extracurricular girlfriend?

---

extracurricular British  

/ ˌɛkstrəkəˈrɪkjʊlə /

adjective

1. taking place outside the normal school timetable

   extracurricular activities

2. beyond the regular duties, schedule, etc

---

Etymology

Origin of extracurricular

First recorded in 1920–25; extra- + curricular ( def. )

Example Sentences

The parent, who did not want to be named out of concern for retaliation, said his son was placed on a “No-Go List” for extracurricular activities and events.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2026

Since 1979, teen labor-force participation has fallen from around 60% to 35%-40%, due to a tightening of labor laws, socio-economic changes and more school commitments and extracurricular activities.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 16, 2026

School officials said the exclusion was unacceptable, noting that educational programmes and extracurricular activities are held on those days.

From Barron's • Jan. 13, 2026

Many U.S. teens accumulate sleep debt during the school week as they juggle academic demands, social activities, extracurricular commitments, and in many cases part-time jobs.

From Science Daily • Jan. 7, 2026

And I say, "Nothing personal, Tiny, but I don't really go in for alliances. Anyway, you know my policy on extracurricular activities."

From "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" by John Green and David Levithan

Related Words

• cheating
• illicit