extraneous
Meaning: Irrelevant or unrelated to the subject being dealt with; coming from outside.
Extraneous has two related senses. First, it means not relevant or pertinent — 'extraneous information' is data that does not belong in the analysis. Second, it means coming from outside — 'extraneous factors' are external influences. In scientific research, 'extraneous variables' are factors that might affect results but are not the focus of the study. The word implies that something should be excluded or controlled for. It is more formal than 'irrelevant' or 'unnecessary.'
Examples
- The editor removed several paragraphs of extraneous material that added nothing to the argument. 编辑删除了几段无关的内容,因为它们对论证毫无贡献。La editora eliminó varios párrafos de material superfluo que no aportaban nada al argumento.編集者は論旨に何も加えない無関係な内容の段落をいくつか削除した。편집자는 논지에 아무것도 보태지 않는 무관한 내용의 단락 몇 개를 삭제했다.
- The experiment was carefully designed to eliminate the influence of extraneous variables. 实验经过精心设计,以消除额外变量的影响。El experimento se diseñó cuidadosamente para eliminar la influencia de variables extrañas.実験は外生変数の影響を排除するよう慎重に設計された。실험은 외생 변수의 영향을 제거하도록 신중하게 설계되었다.
- Extraneous noise from the construction site next door made it impossible to concentrate. 隔壁工地传来的噪音使人根本无法集中精力。El ruido ajeno procedente de la obra contigua hacía imposible concentrarse.隣の建設現場からの外部騒音のせいで集中することが不可能だった。옆 건설 현장에서 들려오는 외부 소음 때문에 집중할 수 없었다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, professional, media
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin extraneus (external, foreign), from extra (outside). The same root gives us 'strange,' 'stranger,' and 'extraordinary.' The word entered English in the 17th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
More From This Topic
More from General Advanced
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation & spaced repetition — all free