endangered
Endangered (adj) means At serious risk of harm, extinction, or destruction. Example: “Rangers work hard to protect the endangered turtles nesting on the beach.”
adj
1
At serious risk of harm, extinction, or destruction.
"Rangers work hard to protect the endangered turtles nesting on the beach."
"The mountain gorilla is one of the most endangered species on Earth."
"His reckless spending left the family business in an endangered state."
How to use endangered
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn danger — most often used for animals or plants at risk of dying out.
Common pairings
endangered species
endangered animal
critically endangered
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more endangered
- Superlative
- most endangered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Rangers work hard to protect the _____ turtles nesting on the beach.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for endangered
See all rhymes for endangered →Frequently asked questions
What does “endangered” mean?
The word “endangered” means at serious risk of harm, extinction, or destruction. In plain terms, in danger — most often used for animals or plants at risk of dying out.
How do you use “endangered” in a sentence?
Here is “endangered” used in a sentence: “The mountain gorilla is one of the most endangered species on Earth.”
What part of speech is “endangered”?
“Endangered” is an adjective.
Is “endangered” a common word?
“Endangered” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between endangered and threatened when describing species?
Endangered describes a species at serious risk of extinction, meaning its population has declined severely. Threatened is a related but less urgent classification, typically used for species likely to become endangered in the near future if current trends continue.
Can endangered describe things other than animals or plants?
Yes, endangered can describe anything at serious risk of harm, destruction, or extinction, including endangered languages, endangered habitats, or endangered traditions, not just wildlife species.
What is the difference between endangered and extinct?
Endangered means a species or thing still exists but faces a serious risk of disappearing. Extinct means it has already died out completely and no longer exists anywhere.
