extracurricular

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extracurricular" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to activities that are not part of the regular academic curriculum, often related to sports, clubs, or other interests outside of standard classes. Example: "She is involved in several extracurricular activities, including the debate team and the school choir."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I see the difficulty of kids in going to university, the difficulty of kids in schools getting arts education, so that the arts and drama and the creative arts are extracurricular.

The Guardian - Books

One of their extracurricular projects is the iRoof club, where classmates work on renovating the school's roof.

The Guardian

A postgraduate degree, extracurricular activities and physical hobbies convey a personality that is driven to succeed rather than given to sitting on a couch and bingeing on chocolate.

The Guardian - Opinion

One Cambridge student, who wanted to remain anonymous, says: "We have to cram about 10 weeks' worth of work into an eight-week term, while also doing extracurricular activities like plays and rowing.

The Guardian

This is … extracurricular".

The Guardian - Books

So highlight leadership roles in all job functions as well as extracurricular and community activities.

The Economist

Schools want applicants who can demonstrate a history of involvement in formal extracurricular activities, whether volunteering, sports or sitting on a local board.

The Economist

Some said students get a lot out of the extracurricular networking opportunities.

The Economist

He and a colleague, also an entrepreneurship professor, help on our extracurricular projects and business plans.

The Economist

But the students seemed to blame the governor, not the voters".It feels like he is taking money from us, and we're already poor," said Johanna Pagan, 16, a sophomore at West Side High School in Newark, who feared her school would lose teachers and extracurricular programs because of the governor's cuts.Obviously, New Jersey is out of money, and it's going to have to make cuts somewhere.

The Economist

The lover's incessant iterations that some woman named Marinette "has custody of her soul" are increasingly irritating.Moreover, the protagonists' extracurricular follies aren't persuasively erotic, but stiff, technical, and dependent on hackneyed leather props.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a student's profile, specify which "extracurricular" activities they participate in to showcase their diverse skill set and interests.

Common error

Avoid using "extracurricular" to describe relationships outside of marriage. "Extramarital" is the correct term for affairs.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "extracurricular" is as an adjective modifying a noun, as seen in phrases like "extracurricular activities" or "extracurricular projects". It describes something that exists outside of the normal school or work routine. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Encyclopedias

22%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Science

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "extracurricular" is a common adjective used to describe activities that fall outside the normal curriculum of an educational institution or the normal duties of a job. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, especially in News & Media and Encyclopedias. It's essential to avoid confusing "extracurricular" with "extramarital", which refers to affairs. When writing about a person's achievements, it is best practice to be specific about which "extracurricular" activities they have participated in.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extra-curricular activities

Variant spelling with a hyphen, essentially interchangeable with "extracurricular".

after-school activities

Focuses specifically on activities occurring after the regular school day.

supplementary activities

Highlights the additional nature of the activities beyond the main requirements.

non-academic pursuits

Emphasizes that the activities are not related to academic studies.

outside interests

Broader term encompassing any interests pursued outside of work or school.

additional involvements

Highlights participation in activities beyond the expected.

off-duty activities

Relates to activities pursued during free time, away from professional obligations.

voluntary engagements

Focuses on the voluntary nature of the activities.

community involvement

Specifically refers to activities that benefit the local community.

leisure pursuits

Emphasizes the recreational aspect of activities done in free time.

FAQs

What are examples of "extracurricular" activities?

"Extracurricular" activities include sports, clubs, volunteer work, arts programs, and other activities outside the normal academic curriculum.

How do "extracurricular" activities benefit students?

"Extracurricular" activities help students develop leadership skills, teamwork abilities, time management skills, and explore their interests.

What's the difference between "extracurricular" and "academic" activities?

"Extracurricular" activities are not part of the regular school curriculum, while "academic" activities are the required courses and assignments.

What can I say instead of "extracurricular"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "after-school activities", "supplementary activities", or "non-academic pursuits".