extraneous
9 synonyms and 1 antonym for extraneous, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Not relevant or necessary to the matter at hand; irrelevant.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use extraneous
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
extraneous detail
extraneous information
extraneous noise
Etymology
From Latin extrāneus, "external, foreign, from outside" — the same root that gives us "strange" and "estrange."
Full origin of extraneous →Frequently asked questions
What does “extraneous” mean?
The word “extraneous” means not relevant or necessary to the matter at hand; irrelevant. In plain terms, something unnecessary or off-topic that doesn't belong to the main point.
How do you pronounce “extraneous”?
“Extraneous” is pronounced ehk-STRAY-nee-uhs (/ɛkˈstɹeɪ.ni.əs/ in IPA).
How do you use “extraneous” in a sentence?
Here is “extraneous” used in a sentence: “The editor cut several extraneous details that slowed the story down.”
What is another word for “extraneous”?
Words with a similar meaning to “extraneous” include alien, foreign, intrusive and extra.
What is the opposite of “extraneous”?
The opposite of “extraneous” — its antonyms — is intraneous.
What part of speech is “extraneous”?
“Extraneous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “extraneous” come from?
The word “extraneous” comes from Latin. From Latin extrāneus, "external, foreign, from outside" — the same root that gives us "strange" and "estrange.".
