Word
extinction
Phoneticsex·tinc·tion, stress on the second syllable
US/ɪkˈstɪŋkʃən/
UK/ɛkstˈɪŋkʃən/
Definitions
01dying out of a species
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the situation where a type of animal or plant stops existing completely.
n. the permanent disappearance of a species or higher taxonomic group from the earth.
“The sudden extinction of the dinosaurs happened millions of years ago.”
“Conservationists are working tirelessly to prevent the total extinction of the northern white rhino, whose population has dwindled to just a few individuals.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02fading of a habit
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Psychology Technical
n. the process where a learned behavior or habit slowly disappears because it is no longer rewarded.
n. the gradual weakening and eventual disappearance of a conditioned response when the stimulus is no longer reinforced.
“If you stop giving the dog treats for sitting, the behavior may face extinction.”
“The therapist explained that the extinction of the patient's phobic response would require repeated exposure to the trigger without any negative consequences.”
Antonyms
03blocking of light
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Science Technical
n. the way dust and gas in space block or scatter light from stars.
n. the reduction in the intensity of light or other radiation as it passes through a medium, particularly interstellar dust.
“Astronomers must account for extinction when measuring how bright a distant star really is.”
“Interstellar extinction can significantly redden the appearance of distant galaxies, as shorter wavelengths of light are scattered more easily by cosmic dust.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“University of Washington researchers are working with the Samish Indian Nation to bring this 24-armed creature back from the brink of extinction.” “Researchers aren't releasing butterflies to prevent extinction anymore—they're releasing them to expand a recovering population.” “In Europe, the number of wild bee species considered at risk of extinction has more than doubled from 77 in 2014 to at least 172 today (around 10% of assessed species) .” Etymology
From late Middle English, borrowed from Latin extinctio (“extinction, annihilation”), from extinguere, past participle extinctus (“to extinguish”); see extinguish.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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