extracurricular

adjective

ex·​tra·​cur·​ric·​u·​lar ˌek-strə-kə-ˈri-kyə-lər How to pronounce extracurricular (audio)
1
: not falling within the scope of a regular curriculum
specifically : of or relating to officially or semiofficially approved and usually organized student activities (such as athletics) connected with school and usually carrying no academic credit
extracurricular sports
2
a
: lying outside one's regular duties or routine
extracurricular noun

Examples of extracurricular in a Sentence

hired a private detective to investigate her husband's extracurricular activities
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Leadership roles and extracurricular activities have prepared Poway High School Salutatorian Michael Markoff to tackle the challenges of studying medicine at UCLA this fall. Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025 In Crosby-Ironton, voters may be asked to pay an additional $1.5 million per year or risk a four-day school week and the end of many extracurricular activities, according to the Star Tribune. Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025 Their ability to balance academics, extracurricular activities, and community service is extraordinary. Larry Smith, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025 The results show that for elite universities, the sweet spot for quantity of extracurricular activities is just four. Derek Newton, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for extracurricular

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of extracurricular was in 1885

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Extracurricular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extracurricular. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

extracurricular

adjective
ex·​tra·​cur·​ric·​u·​lar ˌek-strə-kə-ˈrik-yə-lər How to pronounce extracurricular (audio)
: of or relating to those activities (as athletics) that are offered by a school but are not part of the course of study

More from Merriam-Webster on extracurricular

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!