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adj A2 Elementary Very common

extra

EHKST-ruh

Extra (adj) means More than what is usual, expected, or included as standard; additional. Example: “The hotel charges extra for breakfast.”

adj
1
More than what is usual, expected, or included as standard; additional.
"The hotel charges extra for breakfast."
"Can I get extra cheese on my pizza?"
2
Informal: over-the-top or dramatic in behaviour.
"She cried for ten minutes over a cancelled coffee order — a bit extra, honestly."
noun
1
A background performer in a film or TV scene who has no lines.
"He worked as an extra in a few crowd scenes to earn some money during university."
2
Something added on top of the standard price or offering.
"The final bill included several extras we hadn't asked for."

How to use extra

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething added beyond the normal amount — or, in slang, someone acting over-dramatically.

When to use it

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

Common pairings
an extra charge extra time so extra work as an extra

Word forms

more extra comparative, extras plural, most extra superlative

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Test yourself on “extra” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The hotel charges _____ for breakfast.

Etymology

Shortened from "extraordinary."

Related words

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.

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