extinct
ihk-STIHNGKT
Extinct (adjective) means No longer existing, especially referring to a species that has died out entirely. Example: “The dodo has been extinct since the 17th century.”
adjective
1
No longer existing, especially referring to a species that has died out entirely.
"The dodo has been extinct since the 17th century."
"Many traditional crafts have become nearly extinct."
"Fossils show that giant reptiles of this kind are now extinct."
2
No longer active, especially referring to a volcano.
"Scientists believe the volcano has been extinct for centuries."
"The hikers climbed an extinct volcano and looked down into its grassy crater."
"Because the mountain is extinct, local families feel safe farming on its slopes."
How to use extinct
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNo longer existing anywhere, or, for a volcano, no longer capable of erupting.
Common pairings
extinct species
become extinct
extinct volcano
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- extincts
- Past tense
- extincted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dodo has been _____ since the 17th century.
Etymology
From Latin extīnctus, "put out, destroyed" — the past participle of extinguere, "to extinguish".
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “extinct” mean?
The word “extinct” means no longer existing, especially referring to a species that has died out entirely. In plain terms, no longer existing anywhere, or, for a volcano, no longer capable of erupting.
How do you pronounce “extinct”?
“Extinct” is pronounced ihk-STIHNGKT (/ɪkˈstɪŋkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “extinct” in a sentence?
Here is “extinct” used in a sentence: “The dodo has been extinct since the 17th century.”
What part of speech is “extinct”?
“Extinct” is an adjective.
Where does the word “extinct” come from?
The word “extinct” comes from Latin. From Latin extīnctus, "put out, destroyed" — the past participle of extinguere, "to extinguish".
Is “extinct” a common word?
“Extinct” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “extinct” have?
“Extinct” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: no longer existing, especially referring to a species that has died out entirely.
What is the difference between extinct and endangered?
Extinct means a species no longer exists at all, with no living members remaining, while endangered means a species still exists but is at serious risk of dying out. Endangered species can potentially be saved through conservation, whereas extinction is permanent and irreversible.
What does extinct mean when describing a volcano?
When applied to a volcano, extinct means it is no longer active and is not expected to erupt again, as opposed to a dormant volcano, which is currently inactive but could erupt in the future. This geological sense of extinct parallels its biological meaning of something that has permanently ceased to exist or function.
What is the difference between extinct and extinguished?
Extinct describes a permanent state, such as a species or volcano that no longer exists or is no longer active, while extinguished describes the action of putting something out, such as a fire or flame, at a specific moment. Extinguished is typically used for something that was actively stopped, whereas extinct describes an ongoing state of non-existence or inactivity.
