extra

12 synonyms for extra, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — More than what is usual, expected, or included as standard; additional.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

additional more spare special excess

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

surplus supplementary duplicate redundant

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

added supernumerary spear carrier

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adj

More than what is usual, expected, or included as standard; additional.

“I packed an extra jumper in case the evening got cold.”

additional added more spare surplus supplementary duplicate supernumerary spear carrier special redundant excess

2. noun

A background performer in a film or TV scene who has no lines.

“The director needed fifty extras to fill the street for the market scene.”

duplicate supernumerary

How to use extra

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

an extra charge extra time so extra work as an extra

The slang sense ("that's so extra") is casual and mainly used in speech and social media.

Etymology

Shortened from "extraordinary."

Full origin of extra →

Frequently asked questions

What does “extra” mean?

The word “extra” means more than what is usual, expected, or included as standard; additional. In plain terms, something added beyond the normal amount — or, in slang, someone acting over-dramatically.

How do you pronounce “extra”?

“Extra” is pronounced EHKST-ruh (/ˈɛkstɹə/ in IPA).

How do you use “extra” in a sentence?

Here is “extra” used in a sentence: “The hotel charges extra for breakfast.”

What part of speech is “extra”?

Depending on how it is used, “extra” can be an adjective and a noun.

Is “extra” a common word?

“Extra” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

How many meanings does “extra” have?

“Extra” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: more than what is usual, expected, or included as standard; additional.

What is the difference between extra and additional?

Both mean more than the standard amount, and usually swap freely. Additional is a touch more formal and often appears in writing or notices. Extra is more conversational and can carry the sense of spare or left over — 'we have extra chairs.' Additional rarely means 'spare' in that same way.

What does 'being extra' mean in slang?

In modern informal speech, calling someone 'extra' means they are over the top — dramatic, excessive, or doing far more than a situation calls for. It grows naturally from the core meaning of 'more than necessary,' but applied to behavior. It is casual and mildly teasing, not a formal use.

What is an example of extra?

'Would you like extra cheese?' offers more than the standard amount. 'I keep an extra key in the car' means a spare one. 'They put in extra hours' means more than usual. In each, extra marks something added to, or above, what is normally expected or included.

People also searched

more special additional spare excess surplus redundant duplicate supplementary supernumerary

Nearby words

← Back to the full definition of extra