extricate
Extricate (verb) means to free someone or something from a difficult, entangled, or awkward situation. Example: “It took firefighters over an hour to extricate the driver from the wreckage.”
How to use extricate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo get yourself or someone else out of a tricky, tangled, or stuck situation.
Word forms
extricated past tense, extricates singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It took firefighters over an hour to _____ the driver from the wreckage.
Etymology
From Latin extrīcāre, related to "intricate" — the opposite process, essentially "un-tangling."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for extricate
See all rhymes for extricate →Frequently asked questions
What does “extricate” mean?
The word “extricate” means to free someone or something from a difficult, entangled, or awkward situation. In plain terms, to get yourself or someone else out of a tricky, tangled, or stuck situation.
How do you pronounce “extricate”?
“Extricate” is pronounced EHKS-trih-kayt (/ˈɛks.tɹɪ.keɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “extricate” in a sentence?
Here is “extricate” used in a sentence: “It took firefighters over an hour to extricate the driver from the wreckage.”
What part of speech is “extricate”?
“Extricate” is a verb.
Where does the word “extricate” come from?
The word “extricate” comes from Latin. From Latin extrīcāre, related to "intricate" — the opposite process, essentially "un-tangling.".