# extant

/ˈɛkstənt/ (US) · /ɛkstˈɑːnt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/extant
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. still in existence

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal · Academic

describes something, like a very old book or building, that still exists today.

For teachers: still in existence; not destroyed, lost, or extinct. Often used in academic contexts regarding historical documents or biological species.

- There are only three extant copies of this ancient book in the world.
- The researcher spent years cataloguing the few extant manuscripts from the fourteenth century that had survived the library fire.

Usage: Usually functions as an attributive adjective placed before the noun it modifies.

## Examples

- There are only three extant copies of this ancient book.
- While many of the composer's early works were lost in the fire, his later symphonies remain extant and are still performed today.
- The researcher spent years cataloging the extant manuscripts of the medieval text to determine which version was closest to the original author's intent.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.