extraneous

[ ik-strey-nee-uhs ]

adjective

1. introduced or coming from without; not belonging or proper to a thing; external; foreign:

   extraneous substances in our water.

   Synonyms: alien, adventitious, extrinsic

   Antonyms: intrinsic

2. not pertinent; irrelevant:

   an extraneous remark; extraneous decoration.

   Synonyms: superfluous, nonessential, inappropriate

   Antonyms: relevant, pertinent

extraneous

/ ɪkˈstreɪnɪəs /

adjective

1. not essential
2. not pertinent or applicable; irrelevant
3. coming from without; of external origin
4. not belonging; unrelated to that to which it is added or in which it is contained

Derived Forms

• exˈtraneously, adverb
• exˈtraneousness, noun

Other Words From

• ex·trane·ous·ly adverb
• ex·trane·ous·ness noun
• nonex·trane·ous adjective
• nonex·trane·ous·ly adverb
• nonex·trane·ous·ness noun
• unex·trane·ous adjective
• unex·trane·ous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of extraneous¹

First recorded in 1630–40; from Latin extrāneus “external, foreign,” equivalent to extr(a)- extra- + -ān(us) -an + -eus -eous

Word History and Origins

Origin of extraneous¹

C17: from Latin extrāneus external, from extrā outside

Example Sentences

While a few extra characters are left at loose ends and therefore feel extraneous, those aren’t necessary for the communication of the central ideas of class warfare and hypocrisy.

From Los Angeles Times

For the same reason, Biden’s defense could not make normally extraneous legal arguments at trial about the prosecutor’s decision to bring the case.

From Los Angeles Times

She called on voters to look past what she called “extraneous issues” like the candidates’ ages or their alleged crimes.

From Seattle Times

One Malaysian/Thai-style chicken curry is available — it’s good, but, in context, seems extraneous.

From Seattle Times

“Any member who insists on extraneous change will only increase the likelihood that we miss the deadline.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• additional
• immaterial
• incidental
• nonessential
• superfluous
• supplementary
• unconnected
• unnecessary
• unrelated