Etymology Map
Back to all words

Extra

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means added to an existing amount; a minor actor in crowd scenes

Where does the word "extra" come from? It comes from Latin extra, adopted directly into English (1650s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
extra
Latin · ancient
"outside, beyond"
an adverb from 'exter', outside; the same root as 'external' and 'extreme'
2
Stage 2 of 2
extra
English · 1650s
"additional"
probably shortened from 'extraordinary'; later a film extra
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Extra’s story begins in Latin: extra meant “outside, beyond.” An adverb from 'exter', outside; the same root as 'external' and 'extreme'. It reached English by 1650s as extra. Probably shortened from 'extraordinary'; later a film extra. Today, extra means added to an existing amount; a minor actor in crowd scenes.