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?

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extracurricular British  

/ ˌɛkstrəkəˈrɪkjʊlə /

adjective

1. taking place outside the normal school timetable

   extracurricular activities

2. beyond the regular duties, schedule, etc

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Etymology

Origin of extracurricular

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

Explanation

Something extracurricular takes place in addition to your regular school or work duties. Being involved in extracurricular activities in high school — like sports or journalism — can help you get accepted to the college of your choice. Extracurricular is a combination of the Latin prefix extra- meaning "on the outside" and the word curriculum, meaning "a running, course, career." Something that is extracurricular is on the outside of your course or career. When you get involved in an extracurricular activity, you are going outside of what's expected. Extracurricular can also refer to a spouse's adulterous activities, taking place outside of their marriage commitment.

Example Sentences

They can usually direct their donations toward funding a specific mission – perhaps in memory of a favorite professor, supporting cancer research or to support extracurricular activities such as sports.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

Seven out of 10 students surveyed by College Pulse in 2023 said they primarily join extracurricular activities to make friends and build social connections.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

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

During his extracurricular reading about Peru, he came across a passage by Pedro Cieza de Leon, the Spanish traveler who observed three roads between the same two cities.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Related Words

• cheating
• illicit