extra
/ˈek.strə/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
More than usual, needed, or expected. It can also mean additional time, money, or work.
- I bought extra chairs for the guests.
- We need extra time to finish the report.
noun
Something added to what is usual or basic. In movies, an extra is a person with a very small part.
- Breakfast was an extra in the hotel package.
- She worked as an extra in a film.
adverb
In addition; more than normal. This use is common in informal speech.
- The room was extra cold today.
- Please pay extra for delivery.
Adinary Nuance
Extra is more general than additional and less formal than supplementary. It often sounds everyday and practical, especially with things like time, money, help, or effort. Use extra when you mean 'more than usual' without sounding stiff. It can also mean 'very' in informal speech, which additional does not.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- thêm
- Spanish
- extra
- Chinese
- 额外
- Japanese
- 追加の
- Korean
- 추가의
Etymology
Extra comes from Latin extra, meaning 'outside' or 'beyond'. It entered English through French and has been used since the late Middle Ages.
Common phrases
extra timeextra moneyextra helpextra charge
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is extra formal or informal?
- It is neutral to informal. It is common in speaking, notices, and everyday writing.
- What is the difference between extra and additional?
- Extra is more natural in everyday English. Additional sounds a little more formal or written.
- Can extra mean "very"?
- Yes, in informal speech. For example, "extra nice" means very nice.
- What does an extra mean in movies?
- An extra is a person with a small background role in a film or show.