extraneous Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite not pertinent to the matter under consideration
    impertinent; orthogonal; immaterial.
    • an issue extraneous to the debate
    • the price was immaterial
    • mentioned several impertinent facts before finally coming to the point
  2. adjective satellite not essential
    • the ballet struck me as extraneous and somewhat out of keeping with the rest of the play
  3. adjective satellite not belonging to that in which it is contained; introduced from an outside source
    foreign.
    • water free of extraneous matter
    • foreign particles in milk
  4. adjective satellite coming from the outside
    outside; external.
    • extraneous light in the camera spoiled the photograph
    • relying upon an extraneous income
    • disdaining outside pressure groups

WordNet

Ex*tra"ne*ous adjective
Etymology
L. extraneus, from extra. See Extra, Strange.
Definitions
  1. Not belonging to, or dependent upon, a thing; without or beyond a thing; not essential or intrinsic; foreign; as, to separate gold from extraneous matter.
    Nothing is admitted extraneous from the indictment. Landor.
    -- Ex*tra"ne*ous*ly, adv.

Webster 1913