supernumerary
1 of 2adjective
su·per·nu·mer·ary ˌsü-pər-ˈnü-mə-ˌrer-ē 
-ˈnyü-,
-mə-rē;
-ˈn(y)üm-rē
1
a
: exceeding the usual, stated, or prescribed number
a supernumerary tooth
b
: not enumerated among the regular components of a group and especially of a military organization
2
: exceeding what is necessary, required, or desired
3
: more numerous
supernumerary
2 of 2noun
plural supernumeraries
1
: a supernumerary person or thing
2
: an actor employed to play a walk-on
Did you know?
Supernumerary starts off with the Latin prefix super-, "above". You may have heard of someone being born with supernumerary teeth, supernumerary fingers, or supernumerary toes. A supernumerary rainbow may show up as a faint line—red, green, or purple—just touching the main colored arc. Supernumerary is also a noun: A supernumerary is usually someone in a crowd scene onstage, otherwise known as an "extra" or a "spear-carrier".
Synonyms
Adjective
- excess
- extra
- redundant
- spare
- supererogatory
- superfluous
- surplus
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective a third, supernumerary witness to the signing of the will
Recent Examples on the Web
Katie Campione, PEOPLE.com, 31 Dec. 2021 The number of companions is limited to 24, although supernumerary members do not count towards this total. Katie Campione, PEOPLE.com, 31 Dec. 2021 The number of companions is limited to 24, although supernumerary members do not count towards this total. Katie Campione, PEOPLE.com, 31 Dec. 2021 The number of companions is limited to 24, although supernumerary members do not count towards this total. Katie Campione, PEOPLE.com, 31 Dec. 2021 The number of companions is limited to 24, although supernumerary members do not count towards this total. Katie Campione, PEOPLE.com, 31 Dec. 2021 The number of companions is limited to 24, although supernumerary members do not count towards this total. Katie Campione, PEOPLE.com, 31 Dec. 2021 The number of companions is limited to 24, although supernumerary members do not count towards this total. Katie Campione, PEOPLE.com, 31 Dec. 2021 The number of companions is limited to 24, although supernumerary members do not count towards this total. Katie Campione, PEOPLE.com, 31 Dec. 2021 Don Stacom, courant.com, 12 Nov. 2020 As reported by ITV News, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and King Felipe VI of Spain are being invested as supernumerary, or Stranger Knights of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth in this year's ceremony. Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, 17 June 2019 Aside from work and travel, Mrs. Gradet was an extra — or supernumerary — in several productions of the Baltimore Opera, along with her husband and children. Christina Tkacik, baltimoresun.com, 20 May 2018 Broken into six-hour installments spaced out over two weeks, the hallucinatory concert extravaganza is being custom tailored, with local musicians, guest artists and glittery supernumeraries brought in for the occasion. Charles Mcnulty, latimes.com, 14 Mar. 2018 History will be merciless to them, but how much fun to watch them reduced to thunderstruck supernumeraries in real time. Frank Rich, Daily Intelligencer, 13 Sep. 2017 See More
Adjective
The number of companions is limited to 24, although supernumerary members do not count towards this total. Katie Campione, PEOPLE.com, 31 Dec. 2021 The number of companions is limited to 24, although supernumerary members do not count towards this total. Katie Campione, PEOPLE.com, 31 Dec. 2021 The number of companions is limited to 24, although supernumerary members do not count towards this total. Katie Campione, PEOPLE.com, 31 Dec. 2021 The number of companions is limited to 24, although supernumerary members do not count towards this total. Katie Campione, PEOPLE.com, 31 Dec. 2021 The number of companions is limited to 24, although supernumerary members do not count towards this total. Katie Campione, PEOPLE.com, 31 Dec. 2021 The number of companions is limited to 24, although supernumerary members do not count towards this total. Katie Campione, PEOPLE.com, 31 Dec. 2021 The number of companions is limited to 24, although supernumerary members do not count towards this total. Katie Campione, PEOPLE.com, 31 Dec. 2021 The number of companions is limited to 24, although supernumerary members do not count towards this total. Katie Campione, PEOPLE.com, 31 Dec. 2021 Noun
One of West Hartford’s earlier patrol officers, Martin McCue, started as a part-time supernumerary in 1929 and became a full-time officer a year later. Don Stacom, courant.com, 12 Nov. 2020 As reported by ITV News, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and King Felipe VI of Spain are being invested as supernumerary, or Stranger Knights of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth in this year's ceremony. Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, 17 June 2019 Aside from work and travel, Mrs. Gradet was an extra — or supernumerary — in several productions of the Baltimore Opera, along with her husband and children. Christina Tkacik, baltimoresun.com, 20 May 2018 Broken into six-hour installments spaced out over two weeks, the hallucinatory concert extravaganza is being custom tailored, with local musicians, guest artists and glittery supernumeraries brought in for the occasion. Charles Mcnulty, latimes.com, 14 Mar. 2018 History will be merciless to them, but how much fun to watch them reduced to thunderstruck supernumeraries in real time. Frank Rich, Daily Intelligencer, 13 Sep. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Late Latin supernumerarius, from Latin super- + numerus number
First Known Use
Adjective
1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
1639, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Medical Definition
supernumerary
adjective
su·per·nu·mer·ary ˌsü-pər-ˈn(y)ü-mə-ˌrer-ē, -ˈn(y)üm-(ə-)rē
: exceeding the usual or normal number
supernumerary teeth
a supernumerary rib
supernumeraries
noun
as in spear-carriers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- spear-carriers
- extras
- walk-ons
- coactors
- monologuists
- co-stars
- co-actors
- monologists
- actresses
- costars
- performers
- scene-stealers
- entertainers
- stars
- enactors
- starlets
- understudies
- leading men
- thespians
- troupers
- actors
- farceurs
- leading ladies
- prima donnas
- doubles
- comedians
- barnstormers
- thesps
- leads
- players
- impersonators
- mummers
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- nonactors