Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Additional or more than usual: Something that is extra is added to what is normal, expected, or already exists.
   • Better than usual; superior: Of a higher quality or standard than the ordinary kind.

2. Adverb:

   • To a greater degree than usual; exceptionally: Used to emphasize that something is done or exists to an unusual extent.
   • In addition; additionally: Used to indicate something is done or provided beyond the standard amount.

3. Noun:

   • Something additional of the same kind: An item or amount that is more than what is needed or usual, often kept in reserve.
   • A person hired to appear in a film or play without speaking lines: A minor performer in a crowd scene.
   • A special edition of a newspaper: An additional issue published to report on a major event.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • We need extra chairs for the meeting.
  • She always buys the extra-large size.
  • This is an extra fine wine.

• Adverb:

  • He works extra hard to support his family.
  • The coffee is extra strong today.
  • I paid extra for express shipping.

• Noun:

  • I always carry an extra in my bag in case my pen runs out.
  • He worked as an extra in several Hollywood movies.
  • The newspaper published an extra to cover the election results.

Advanced Usage

• "To go the extra mile": To make a special effort or do more than is expected or required.

  • She always goes the extra mile to help her clients.

• "Extra credit": Additional work that can be done to earn bonus points in an academic course.

  • The professor offered extra credit for attending the guest lecture.

Variants and Related Words

• Extraordinary (adj): Very unusual or remarkable; beyond what is ordinary.

  • She showed extraordinary courage.

• Extraneous (adj): Irrelevant or unrelated to the subject; coming from outside.

  • Please avoid including extraneous details in your report.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Additional, supplementary, spare, surplus, excess, further, more.
• Adverb: Especially, particularly, exceptionally, unusually, additionally.
• Noun: Supplement, addition, spare, reserve, supernumerary.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: "Extra" is not commonly used to form phrasal verbs. Its use is primarily as an adjective, adverb, or noun.)

Related Idioms

• "A little something extra": A small additional gift, benefit, or amount.

  • As a thank you, we've included a little something extra with your order.

• "Extra pair of hands": Additional help from a person.

  • We could really use an extra pair of hands in the kitchen right now.

Adjective

1. further or added
   • called for additional troops
   • need extra help
   • an extra pair of shoes
2. added to a regular schedule
   • a special holiday flight
   • put on special buses for the big game
3. more than is needed, desired, or required
   • trying to lose excess weight
   • found some extra change lying on the dresser
   • yet another book on heraldry might be thought redundant
   • skills made redundant by technological advance
   • sleeping in the spare room
   • supernumerary ornamentation
   • it was supererogatory of her to gloat
   • delete superfluous (or unnecessary) words
   • extra ribs as well as other supernumerary internal parts
   • surplus cheese distributed to the needy

Adverb

1. unusually or exceptionally
   • an extra fast car

Noun

1. something additional of the same kind
   • he always carried extras in case of an emergency
2. an additional edition of a newspaper (usually to report a crisis)
3. a minor actor in crowd scenes