What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

External vs Extraneous - What's the difference?

external | extraneous |

As adjectives the difference between external and extraneous

is that external is outside of something; on the exterior while extraneous is not belonging to, or dependent upon, a thing; without or beyond a thing; foreign.

external

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Outside of something; on the exterior.
    • This building has some external pipework.
  • * Milton
    • Of all external things, / She [Fancy] forms imaginations, aery shapes.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Her virtues graced with external gifts.
  • Not intrinsic nor essential; accidental; accompanying; superficial.
  • * Trench
    • The external circumstances are greatly different.
  • Foreign; relating to or connected with foreign nations.
    • external''' trade or commerce; the '''external relations of a state or kingdom
  • (anatomy) Away from the mesial plane of the body; lateral.

    • Antonyms

    * internal

    Related terms

    * externalization * externalize * externalism * externalist * externality

    External links

    * * * English words suffixed with -al

    extraneous

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Not belonging to, or dependent upon, a thing; without or beyond a thing; foreign
    • to separate gold from extraneous matter
    Extraneous substances were found on my cup of water.
  • Not essential or intrinsic

    • Synonyms

    * (not belonging to) additional, alien, foreign, intrusive * (not essential) superfluous, extra

    Derived terms

    * extraneously * extraneousness