English Reference
Adjective

extracurricular

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˌɛkstɹəkɝˈɪkjəɫɝ/ UK /ˌɛkstɹəkəɹˈɪkjʊlɐ/ ex·tracur·ric·u·lar Education

adj.describing activities that are not part of the official school or college classes. You join these to have fun or learn new skills outside of your regular lessons.

adj.relating to activities that are not part of the official academic curriculum. Often used to describe clubs, sports, or volunteer work that students participate in during their free time.


SIMPLE

She joined several extracurricular clubs at her new school.

CONTEXTUAL

The university encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities to develop leadership and social skills.

COMPLEX

While the academic requirements are rigorous, the school also places a high value on extracurricular involvement, believing that a well-rounded education requires both intellectual and personal growth.

The proposal called for state-subsidised schools with Catholic roots would lose the ability to teach this subject during school hours, with it being relegated to an extracurricular activity.

The Local· 9 Sept 2026

These costs, which do not include breakfast clubs before school starts, are in addition to the price of extracurricular activities such as swimming and music lessons, sports clubs and dance classes.

The Guardian· 25 Aug 2026

From extra- + curricular.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated