Main entry: external, extraneous, outside
Definition: coming from the outside
Usage: extraneous light in the camera spoiled the photograph; relying upon an extraneous income; disdaining outside pressure groups
Main entry: extraneous
Definition: not essential
Usage: the ballet struck me as extraneous and somewhat out of keeping with the rest of the play
Main entry: orthogonal, extraneous, immaterial, impertinent
Definition: not pertinent to the matter under consideration
Usage: an issue extraneous to the debate; the price was immaterial; mentioned several impertinent facts before finally coming to the point
Main entry: extraneous, foreign
Definition: not belonging to that in which it is contained; introduced from an outside source
Usage: water free of extraneous matter; foreign particles in milk