Word
extinguish
Phoneticsex·tin·guish, stress on the second syllable
US/ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/
UK/ɛkstˈɪŋɡwɪʃ/
Formal
Definition
v. to stop a fire from burning or to end a feeling or idea completely.
v. 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.”
Examples
simple
“Firefighters worked for hours to extinguish the forest fire.”
contextual
“The news of the budget cuts served to extinguish any remaining hope for the project's completion.”
complex
“In legal contexts, a debt or obligation may be extinguished once the specific conditions of the contract have been fully satisfied by both parties.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “extinguish” in context.
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object.
Real-World Examples
“All relevant services are on site, working to extinguish the fire,” he said.” “After battling blazes overnight and extinguishing them on Saturday, a second drone started another fire on Sunday, Hardan said.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin extinguo (“to put out (what is burning), quench, extinguish, deprive of life, destroy, abolish”), from ex (“out”) + stinguere (“to put out, quench, extinguish”). Doublet of extinct.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/extinguish