Extraneous — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ek-ˈstrā-nē-əs/ ex·tra·ne·ous

Meaning & Definition of Extraneous

Extraneous (adjective)

  1. existing on or coming from the outside
  2. not forming an essential or vital part
  3. having no relevance

Extraneous (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. not being a vital part of or belonging to something

    "the architect's streamlined modern style shuns any sort of extraneous ornamentation"

    similar: accidental, adventitious, alien, external, extrinsic, foreign, supervenient
    related: exterior, outside, immaterial, inapplicable, insignificant, irrelevant, nonessential, unessential, unnecessary
    opposite: inherent, innate, intrinsic
    near: congenital, deep-seated, inborn, inbred, inside, interior, internal, basic, essential, necessary

  2. not having anything to do with the matter at hand

    "the professor would have covered all of the course material if she had refrained from her extraneous remarks on just about everything"

    similar: immaterial, impertinent, inapplicable, inapposite, irrelative, irrelevant, beside the point, neither here nor there
    related: incidental, peripheral, tangent, tangential, dead, moot, inconsequential, insignificant, unimportant, empty, inane, meaningless, pointless, senseless, useless, inappropriate, inapt, unsuitable
    opposite: applicable, apposite, apropos, germane, material, pertinent, pointed, relative, relevant
    near: important, meaningful, significant, sensible, useful, appropriate, apt, fit, suitable

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Extraneous

The most common words with a similar meaning to Extraneous:

accidental, adventitious, alien, external, extrinsic, foreign, supervenient, immaterial, impertinent, inapplicable, inapposite, irrelative, irrelevant, beside the point, neither here nor there

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Extraneous

Words with the opposite meaning of Extraneous:

inherent, innate, intrinsic, applicable, apposite, apropos, germane, material, pertinent, pointed, relative, relevant

Related Words for Extraneous

exterior, outside, insignificant, nonessential, unessential, unnecessary, incidental, peripheral, tangent, tangential, dead, moot, inconsequential, unimportant, empty, inane, meaningless, pointless, senseless, useless, inappropriate, inapt, unsuitable

Near Antonyms of Extraneous

congenital, deep-seated, inborn, inbred, inside, interior, internal, basic, essential, necessary, important, meaningful, significant, sensible, useful, appropriate, apt, fit, suitable

Word Forms of Extraneous

Derived words: extraneously (adverb), extraneousness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Extraneous

Latin extrāneus "not belonging to one's family or household, coming from abroad, foreign, external" + -ous strange:1

First known use: 1638

Frequently Asked Questions about Extraneous

What does "Extraneous" mean?

"Extraneous" means existing on or coming from the outside. As an adjective, it is defined as: existing on or coming from the outside. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Extraneous"?

Other words for "Extraneous" include accidental, adventitious, alien, external, extrinsic, foreign, supervenient and immaterial. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Extraneous" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Extraneous"?

There are 38 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Extraneous". Common alternatives include accidental, adventitious, alien, external, extrinsic, foreign, supervenient, immaterial, impertinent and inapplicable.

What is the opposite of "Extraneous"?

Antonyms of "Extraneous" include inherent, innate, intrinsic, applicable, apposite, apropos, germane and material. Near antonyms include congenital, deep-seated, inborn and inbred.

How do you use "Extraneous" in a sentence?

Examples of "Extraneous" in a sentence: "the architect's streamlined modern style shuns any sort of extraneous ornamentation"; "the professor would have covered all of the course material if she had refrained from her extraneous remarks on just about everything".

Is "Extraneous" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Extraneous" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Extraneous"?

"Extraneous" is pronounced /ek-ˈstrā-nē-əs/ and divided into syllables as ex·tra·ne·ous.

What is the origin of the word "Extraneous"?

"Extraneous" comes from Latin extrāneus "not belonging to one's family or household, coming from abroad, foreign, external" + -ous strange:1. First known use: 1638.