# extinguish

/ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/ (US) · /ɛkstˈɪŋɡwɪʃ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/extinguish
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

to stop a fire from burning or to end a feeling or idea completely.

For teachers: to cause a flame or fire to cease burning; figuratively, to bring an end to a hope, feeling, or legal right.

## Examples

- Firefighters worked for hours to extinguish the forest fire.
- The news of the budget cuts served to extinguish any remaining hope for the project's completion.
- In legal contexts, a debt or obligation may be extinguished once the specific conditions of the contract have been fully satisfied by both parties.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and requires a direct object.

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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.