Phrase guide

ab extra

adv · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK, US: /æb ˈɛk.stɹə/

1

adv

Meaning 1

From outside.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: law

Examples

  • Sometimes I wonder if this country is being controlled ab extra.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

First attested in the mid 17th century. Learned borrowing from Latin ab extra (literally “from outside”) From Late Latin ab (“from”) extra (“outside”).