extra
adjective
beyond or more than what is usual, expected, or necessary; additional.
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extra
1 American
[ek-struh]
/ ˈɛk strə /
adjective
-
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!
-
noun
-
extras
plural
-
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.
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Cricket. Usually extras. a score or run not made from the bat, as a bye or a wide.
adverb
-
in excess of the usual or specified amount.
an extra high price.
-
beyond the ordinary degree; unusually; uncommonly.
done extra well; extra large.
extra-
2
American
extra
1
British
/ ˈɛkstrə /
adjective
noun
-
a person or thing that is additional
-
something for which an additional charge is made
the new car had many extras
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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
adverb
extra-
2
British
prefix
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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."
Vocabulary lists containing extra
Theater - Introductory
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Theater - Middle School
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Theater - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Riedels and Mericle find numerous ways in which these extra costs have been miscaptured or exaggerated and conclude that “most of the 20 basis points contribution to core PCE from this category reflects mismeasurement.”
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2026
What makes the 49th-anniversary box set particularly special is the inclusion of the extra discs.
From Salon ● Oct. 14, 2026
Earlier this month, the government announced extra charges for parents sitting with their children when flying would be scrapped in time for next year's summer holidays.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
Their bodies had adapted so effectively that walking with the extra load required slightly less energy than walking without it.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 14, 2026
“You need an extra fighter?” he asks, insistent.
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
The chain’s all-in average order value, including extras such as drinks and delivery, is around $20, with entrees averaging nearly $15, according to the CFO.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026
She hasn’t been able to add to her savings or put money away for travel, and she has cut back on extras like dining out with friends.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 12, 2026
On top of those savings, I’ll get a lineup of extras at check in, including daily breakfast for two, a $100 resort credit and early check in/late check out if available.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
Cooke added that along with standard punishments for not fulfilling a fixture, there was were also possible "undetermined" extras.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026
“Two bedroom cape with add-on potential. Nu to market, builder’s special. Contemporary ranch with extras galore.”
From "Typical American" by Gish Jen
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.
