extracurricular

adjective

ex·​tra·​cur·​ric·​u·​lar ˌek-strə-kə-ˈri-kyə-lər 

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

b

: extramarital

extracurricular noun

Synonyms

• extramarital
• adulterous

Examples of extracurricular in a Sentence

hired a private detective to investigate her husband's extracurricular activities

Recent Examples on the Web

Latinos in Action, a nationwide educational program, was offered as an elective class or extracurricular club at 46 Broward middle and high schools and education centers. —Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025

Others reported their parents restricted their involvement in extracurricular activities such as sports, dances or mixed-gender clubs, limiting opportunities. —Hind Haddad, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2025

This is on top of the stress factors more common to this age group in general, regardless of generation, like navigating complicated family dynamics and academic and extracurricular pressures. —Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 26 Sep. 2025

Once a child is in school, parents are also expected to provide resources for extracurricular activities, such as clubs, summer camps, sports, musical instruments and tutoring, to raise a well-rounded child, Falbo said. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for extracurricular

• periarticular
• supraclavicular
• acicular
• articular
• curricular
• cuticular
• funicular
• lenticular
• navicular
• particular
• radicular
• reticular

Kids Definition

extracurricular

adjective

ex·​tra·​cur·​ric·​u·​lar ˌek-strə-kə-ˈrik-yə-lər 

: of or relating to those activities (as athletics) that are offered by a school but are not part of the course of study