supernumerary

American  

[soo-per-noo-muh-rer-ee, -nyoo-] / ˌsu pərˈnu məˌrɛr i, -ˈnju- /

adjective

1. being in excess of the usual, proper, or prescribed number; additional; extra.

2. associated with a regular body or staff as an assistant or substitute in case of necessity.

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noun

• supernumeraries
  plural

1. a supernumerary or extra person or thing.

2. a supernumerary official or employee.

3. a person who appears in a play or film without speaking lines or as part of a crowd; walk-on; extra.

supernumerary British  

/ ˌsuːpəˈnjuːmərərɪ, -ˈnjuːmrərɪ /

adjective

1. exceeding a regular or proper number; extra

2. functioning as a substitute or assistant with regard to a regular body or staff

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noun

1. a person or thing that exceeds the normal, required, or regular number

2. a person who functions as a substitute or assistant

3. an actor who has no lines, esp a nonprofessional one

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• supernumeraries
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of supernumerary

From the Late Latin word supernumerārius, dating back to 1595–1605. See super-, numerary

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Explanation

Supernumerary is an adjective that describes something there’s too much of. If a scheduling mishap results in three extra people showing up for work, then you have supernumerary staff. You probably know that something that's super is extreme in some way. And in supernumerary you’ll see part of the word “numeral,” which means “number.” So it makes sense that the adjective supernumerary describes an excess of something — an extraordinary number of that thing. Similarly, the noun version of supernumerary describes someone who's extra and has nothing to do. She just isn’t needed, like the player who never gets off the bench.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

supernumerary supernumeraries

Among the supernumerary features: 13 cupholders, seven USB-C ports, two 120V outlets, and three-zone climate control.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 2025

A mature horse chestnut, it is festooned with glorious blooms every spring, and after a few weeks sheds hundreds of partially grown, supernumerary conkers, encased in spiky green coverings.

From Seattle Times ● May 24, 2024

The study involved 24 participants who were asked to perform a variety of tasks with a supernumerary robotic arm.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 27, 2023

Because that's what Japanese company Exii recently premiered with their Jizai Arms — a robotic arm bag, or "supernumerary robotic limb system" that enables humans to control six additional AI robotic limbs.

From Salon ● May 28, 2023

It was this extra attention to detail, a supernumerary zeal to approach perfection that led him to spend part of each weekday morning at Hobie’s Grill.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

At the Temple of Dendur, the Rockettes make like supernumeraries from a dusty production of “Aida,” striking hieroglyphic poses in Egyptian attire.

From New York Times ● Mar. 26, 2015

Pasha Selim became a fashion mogul, and models were used as supernumeraries who walked an illuminated runway.

From Washington Times ● Nov. 24, 2014

But thank heavens for the red curtain hung clothesline-style facilitating the legerdemain and the use of caps and helmets allowing major characters to serve as supernumeraries.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2014

The finale packs the chorus and supernumeraries onto the stage like anchovies in a can, as searching families are reunited with prisoners in a scene that bristles with hope, loss and joy.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 15, 2012

I referred them to Mr. Henderson, the Manager of the Chicago Opera-house; and his office was crowded daily with prime donne, chorus people, dancers, musicians, property men, bill-board men, and supernumeraries, all demanding money.

From The Mapleson Memoirs, vol II 1848-1888 by James H. Mapleson

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