Question

extraneous Be sure your essays are well focused, with any discussion of extraneous topics kept to a minimum. ɛkˈstreɪniəs

Accepted Answer

(1) Existing or coming from the outside. (2) Not forming an essential part; irrelevant. Extraneous and strange both come from the same Latin word, extraneus, which basically meant “external” or “coming from outside.” But unlike strange, extraneous is a slightly formal word, often used by scientists and social scientists. Researchers always try to eliminate extraneous factors (or “extraneous variables”) from their studies. A researcher conducting a psychological test, for example, would try to make sure that the people were tested under the same conditions, and were properly divided according to gender, age, health, and so on.

word	extraneous
definition	(1) Existing or coming from the outside. (2) Not forming an essential part; irrelevant.
eg_sentence	Be sure your essays are well focused, with any discussion of extraneous topics kept to a minimum.
explanation	Extraneous and strange both come from the same Latin word, extraneus, which basically meant “external” or “coming from outside.” But unlike strange, extraneous is a slightly formal word, often used by scientists and social scientists. Researchers always try to eliminate extraneous factors (or “extraneous variables”) from their studies. A researcher conducting a psychological test, for example, would try to make sure that the people were tested under the same conditions, and were properly divided according to gender, age, health, and so on.
IPA	ɛkˈstreɪniəs

Extraneous Word Existing Coming Forming Essential Part Irrelevant