supernumerary

Supernumerary is an adjective meaning exceeding the usual number; extra or supplementary. The noun form can refer to a person who is present in addition to the main members of a group, or, in the performing arts, to an extra who appears on stage without a speaking role. The term derives from Latin supernumerarius, from super “above, beyond” and numerus “number.”

In theatre and film, supernumeraries are background performers who populate scenes, often appearing in crowd scenes or period settings and sometimes without lines. They contribute to the visual realism of a production and may be credited or uncredited depending on the production and contract terms.

In biology and medicine, supernumerary describes structures or occurrences that are additional to the normal set. Common examples include supernumerary digits (polydactyly), supernumerary nipples (polythelia), and supernumerary teeth (often referred to as mesiodens when they appear in the front of the jaw). The term is used across disciplines to denote anything extra beyond the typical count.

Beyond arts and medicine, the word can describe any item or person that is extra to a standard roster or total, serving a supplementary or incidental role rather than a primary one. The usage remains neutral and descriptive, emphasizing quantity rather than value.