How to pronounce extraneous
Say it like ek-STRAY-nee-us. Extraneous has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STRAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce extraneous. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ek
- STRAY
- nee
- us
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Extraneous pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ekKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- STRAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- neeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- usKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of extraneous
American and British speakers say extraneous in essentially the same way: /ɛkˈstreɪniəs/ in the US and /ɛkˈstreɪniəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: ek-STRAY-nee-us.
What does extraneous mean?
- Not belonging to, or dependent upon, a thing; without or beyond a thing; foreign.“to separate gold from extraneous matter”
- Not essential or intrinsic.
Where does extraneous come from?
From Latin extrāneus (“from without, strange”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with extraneous
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of extraneous.
Questions about saying extraneous
How do you pronounce extraneous?
Say ek-STRAY-nee-us. The American pronunciation is /ɛkˈstreɪniəs/. In British English it is /ɛkˈstreɪniəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in extraneous?
Extraneous has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STRAY). Broken into parts: ek · STRAY · nee · us.
Do Americans and Brits say extraneous the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɛkˈstreɪniəs/ and the British form is /ɛkˈstreɪniəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.