beyond or more than what is usual, expected, or necessary; additional.
an extra copy of a newspaper; an extra charge.
larger or better than what is usual.
an extra binding.
Slang.
extremely good.
over the top; extreme or excessive.
Her behavior is just so extra, so dramatic!
something extra or additional.
the little amenities and extras that make life pleasant.
an additional expense.
a special edition of a newspaper, other than a regular edition.
something of superior quality.
Movies, Television. a person hired by the day to play a minor part, as a member of a mob or crowd.
an additional worker.
Cricket. Usually extras. a score or run not made from the bat, as a bye or a wide.
in excess of the usual or specified amount.
an extra high price.
beyond the ordinary degree; unusually; uncommonly.
done extra well; extra large.
a person or thing that is additional
something for which an additional charge is made
the new car had many extras
an additional edition of a newspaper, esp to report a new development or crisis
films an actor or person temporarily engaged, usually for crowd scenes
cricket a run not scored from the bat, such as a wide, no-ball, bye, or leg bye
something that is better than usual in quality
First recorded in 1770–80; by shortening of extraordinary
< Latin, combining form of extrā (adv. and preposition) outside (of ), without
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."
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Some of the aspects studied on the flight were the modified architecture around the extra fuel tank, changes to make the cabin quieter, and the plane's air circulation system.
From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026
To illustrate how “free” extra savings could happen, the authors of the brief provide an example.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
“They may have done everything they needed to do, but there’s all these extra steps and administrative burden.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
When cells produced extra BiP but lacked p58IPK, they showed only modest gains in proinsulin folding and its movement out of the cell.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026
With fruits and vegetables preserved in Mason jars and extra hay for Belle, we can survive winter.
From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
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
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
A wholesale T-shirt company offers sizes small, medium, large, and extra- large in organic or non- organic cotton and colors white, black, gray, blue, and red.
From Textbooks ● Feb. 13, 2015
Adrienne sends you home with three dollars and an extra- large hot chocolate.
From "Goodbye Stranger" by Rebecca Stead
Perks—the often-lavish extras layered on top of executive pay—are booming.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026
These are the extras that make a gathering feel abundant and special — even when they require very little work.
From Salon ● Jul. 12, 2026
Fatima bowled Ghosh in her final over, but conceded seven runs in extras, while Deepti finished with 12 from nine deliveries.
From BBC ● Jun. 14, 2026
Many Advantage plans bundle Part A hospital coverage, Part B outpatient coverage, and Part D drug coverage—plus extras like gym memberships and dental care—for no additional premium.
From Barron's ● Jun. 11, 2026
"I think your dad has a few extras around his office. And stop wiggling, Jeremy. You look like you've got Saint Vitus' Dance!"
From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
