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 of extracurricular

• extramarital
• adulterous

Examples of extracurricular in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Students who work part-time to earn extra income may struggle to keep up in class, and often sacrifice important opportunities for extracurricular learning along the way. —Albert D. Mosley, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026

The recipients were selected for their outstanding academic achievements and involvement in other extracurricular activities, according to Lomnicky. —Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026

And throwing himself into everything from sumo wrestling to organizing music festivals (there’s an unexpected Backstreet Boys cameo), Poldi is never short on extracurricular exploits, either. —Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 10 June 2026

The feed is not extracurricular. —Adam Howard, Time, 10 June 2026

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