Extraneous Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ɛksˈtræn.i.əs/🔊

Part of Speech

Adjective

Definition

Outside the essential or usual range; beyond what is necessary or important.

Examples

• The professor included extraneous information in the lecture notes.
• The athlete’s trainer carefully monitored her exercises to avoid extraneous movements.
• The teacher encouraged students to avoid distractions and stay focused on the main task, leaving extraneous tasks for later.
• The researcher found that the new method significantly reduced extraneous noise in the audio recordings.
• The speaker’s extraneous remarks often mangled the main message.

Synonyms

• Unessential
• Incidental
• Accidental

Antonyms

• Essential
• Central
• Crucial

Etymology

The word “extraneous” comes from the Latin “extranae”, meaning “foreign” or “outside”, and has been used in English since the 15th century.

Usage Notes

When using “extraneous” in writing or speech, be aware that it is often contrasted with “essential” or “necessary”, and can imply a sense of irrelevant or unnecessary information.

Cultural References

In popular culture, the term “extraneous” has been used in various contexts, including literature, film, and television.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “Essential vs. extraneous” – a common phrase used to distinguish between crucial and non-essential information.

Related Words or Phrases

• Irrelevant
• Superfluous
• Non-essential

Collocations

• Extraneous noise
• Extraneous information
• Extraneous activities

Frequency of Use

While “extraneous” is a relatively rare word in everyday conversation, it is commonly used in academic, technical, and literary contexts.