extra

1 of 4

adjective

ex·​tra ˈek-strə How to pronounce extra (audio)
1
a
: more than is due, usual, or necessary : additional
extra work
In preparation for this weekend's competition, the team put in some extra hours.Andrew King
… has a large storage area for things like a tent, sleeping bag, mosquito netting, extra clothing, and an extra pair of boots.Stephanie Fitzgerald
b
: subject to an additional charge
dessert is extra
There is an entrance charge of €5 per person, and it's extra for sunbeds …Eilis O'Hanlon
2
: superior
extra quality
3
slang : going beyond what is usual or standard: such as
a
: extremely or excessively elaborate : extravagant
This Ontario mansion … is basically a mini castle and is so extra it even comes with a 16-foot waterfall.Patrick John Gilson
b
: characterized by dramatic or eccentric behavior : over-the-top
… women who are seen as too fun, too brash, too extra, too loud …Bonnie McLaren
"So this is my dad," she [Annisa Simao] says. "If you know him, you know he's pretty goofy, … pretty extra."Natalie B. Compton

extra

2 of 4

noun

1
: one that is extra or additional: such as
a
: a special edition of a newspaper
b
: an added charge
c
: an additional worker
specifically : one hired to act in a group scene in a motion picture or stage production
d
: an attractive addition or accessory : frill
cars loaded with extras
2
: something of superior quality or grade

extra

3 of 4

adverb

: beyond the usual size, extent, or degree
extra large

extra-

4 of 4

prefix

: outside : beyond
extrajudicial

Examples of extra in a Sentence

Adjective a sandwich with extra mayonnaise She got a part-time job to earn some extra money. He gave us an extra week to finish the job. There's no extra charge for breakfast. Noun The package deal includes some nice extras. Thousands of extras were hired for the battle scene. Adverb You have to pay $5 extra for room service. The food was extra good. The roads are slippery, so be extra careful. This is an extra special occasion.
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.
Adjective
Following an extra innings loss to the Cincinnati Reds that saw Aaron Boone's bullpen collapse, the Yankees' captain, Aaron Judge, spoke to the media about the team's performance. Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025 There is no extra cost to the fare when booking the stopover. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
Noun
In addition, boys incur variable extras, e.g. charges for music lessons, optional insurances, boat club membership and school trips. Stephanie Petit, People.com, 24 June 2025 The eastbound extras will serve Millennium and Van Buren St., run non-stop to Hegewisch and make all local stops terminating at Carroll Ave. Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
Adverb
To be extra safe, Aira goes on the next night as well. Han Ong, New Yorker, 22 June 2025 Were there any specific scenes that were extra challenging to shoot on iPhones? William Earl, Variety, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for extra

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

probably short for extraordinary

Prefix

Latin, from extra, adverb & preposition, outside, except, beyond, from exter being on the outside — more at exterior

First Known Use

Adjective

1757, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1807, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of extra was in 1757

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Extra.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extra. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

extra

1 of 4 adjective
ex·​tra ˈek-strə How to pronounce extra (audio)
: more than is due, usual, or necessary

extra

2 of 4 noun
: something extra: as
a
: a special edition of a newspaper
b
: a person hired to act in a group scene (as in a movie)

extra

3 of 4 adverb
: beyond the usual size, extent, or degree
extra long
extra large eggs

extra-

4 of 4 prefix
: outside : beyond
extracurricular
Etymology

Prefix

derived from Latin extra "outside, beyond" — related to strange

More from Merriam-Webster on extra

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!