Definitions
- Referring to something that is not essential or necessary to the main point or purpose. - Describing something that is unrelated or irrelevant to a particular topic or subject. - Talking about something that is additional or supplementary, but not integral to the main idea.
- Describing something that has no bearing or connection to a particular topic or subject. - Referring to something that is not applicable or significant to the matter at hand. - Talking about something that is immaterial or unimportant in relation to the main idea.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe something that is not necessary or important.
- 2Both words refer to something that is unrelated to the main idea or topic.
- 3Both words can be used to criticize or dismiss information as unnecessary or unimportant.
What is the difference?
- 1Scope: Extraneous refers to something that is additional or supplementary, while irrelevant describes something that is completely unrelated.
- 2Usage: Extraneous is often used in academic or technical contexts, while irrelevant is more commonly used in everyday language.
- 3Connotation: Extraneous can imply that the information is not needed but may still have some value, while irrelevant suggests that the information is completely useless or insignificant.
Remember this!
Extraneous and irrelevant are synonyms that describe something that is not necessary or important to the main idea or topic. However, extraneous implies that the information may still have some value, while irrelevant suggests that the information is completely useless or insignificant. Additionally, extraneous is often used in academic or technical contexts, while irrelevant is more commonly used in everyday language.
