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
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
Examples of supernumerary in a Sentence
Adjective
a third, supernumerary witness to the signing of the will
Recent Examples on the Web
Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2024
But the Honda Super Cub’s larger-than-life origin story and supernumerary achievements earn it entry into our list because this pint-sized scoot is nothing short of a two-wheeled legend.
—Peter Jackson, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024
The Lucid Air launched to supernumerary acclaim, boasting nearly four-figure horsepower and over 500 miles of range.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2023
Biopsy and excision of this mass confirmed the presence of a functional supernumerary nipple.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 5 May 2017
The early appointment of Blackwood was necessary because Rich went on supernumerary status, or retirement status, before the term ended.
—Mike Cason | McAson@al.com, al, 30 Dec. 2022
Touching my face with my supernumerary hand: a cheeky illusion.
—Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 13 Apr. 2012
The number of companions is limited to 24, although supernumerary members do not count towards this total.
—Katie Campione, PEOPLE.com, 31 Dec. 2021
Because this mutation is often removed very early in life, there have been few chances to research what benefits being polydactyl may afford those with supernumerary fingers (SF).
—Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, 14 June 2019
Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 30 Mar. 2023
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
Victoria Petrovich’s set was minimal but useful, but some of Rosie Glen-Lambert’s direction struck me as wrong-headed, nowhere more so than in a supernumerary robot’s contemplation of male reproductive parts.
—Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2024
But the Honda Super Cub’s larger-than-life origin story and supernumerary achievements earn it entry into our list because this pint-sized scoot is nothing short of a two-wheeled legend.
—Peter Jackson, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024
The Lucid Air launched to supernumerary acclaim, boasting nearly four-figure horsepower and over 500 miles of range.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2023
Biopsy and excision of this mass confirmed the presence of a functional supernumerary nipple.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 5 May 2017
The early appointment of Blackwood was necessary because Rich went on supernumerary status, or retirement status, before the term ended.
—Mike Cason | McAson@al.com, al, 30 Dec. 2022
Touching my face with my supernumerary hand: a cheeky illusion.
—Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 13 Apr. 2012
The number of companions is limited to 24, although supernumerary members do not count towards this total.
—Katie Campione, PEOPLE.com, 31 Dec. 2021
Because this mutation is often removed very early in life, there have been few chances to research what benefits being polydactyl may afford those with supernumerary fingers (SF).
—Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, 14 June 2019
Noun
Scenes are often crowded with supernumeraries.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 30 Mar. 2023
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
Dictionary Entries Near supernumerary
Cite this Entry
“Supernumerary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supernumerary. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
supernumerary
1 of 2 adjective
su·per·nu·mer·ary
ˌsü-pər-ˈn(y)ü-mə-ˌrer-ē
: exceeding the usual or needed number : extra
supernumerary
2 of 2 noun
plural supernumeraries
1
: a supernumerary person or thing
2
: an actor employed to play a small usually nonspeaking part
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share