extra
EHKST-ruh
Extra (adj) means More than what is usual, expected, or included as standard; additional. Example: “I packed an extra jumper in case the evening got cold.”
adj
1
More than what is usual, expected, or included as standard; additional.
"I packed an extra jumper in case the evening got cold."
"The hotel charges extra for breakfast."
"Can I get extra cheese on my pizza?"
2
Informal: over-the-top or dramatic in behaviour.
"Throwing a party for a goldfish's birthday is a bit extra, don't you think?"
"Why are you being so extra about a tiny spelling mistake?"
"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.
"The director needed fifty extras to fill the street for the market scene."
"As an extra, she walked past the main actors without saying a word."
"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 car comes with air conditioning, but leather seats are an extra."
"Parking and a late checkout are optional extras at this hotel."
"The final bill included several extras we hadn't asked for."
How to use extra
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- extras
- Comparative
- more extra
- Superlative
- most extra
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I packed an _____ jumper in case the evening got cold.
Etymology
Shortened from "extraordinary."
Synonyms
View more →
additional
added
more
spare
surplus
supplementary
duplicate
supernumerary
spear carrier
special
redundant
excess
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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