ENGLISH
REFERENCE

extracts

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɛkˌstɹækts// ex·tracts

n. small parts of a longer book, movie, or piece of music. You use them to show a short example of a much larger work.

n. short passages or segments taken from a longer literary, musical, or cinematic work. Often selected for study, review, or performance to represent the whole.


SIMPLE

The teacher read several extracts from the novel to the class.

CONTEXTUAL

The documentary includes short extracts from the politician's speeches to illustrate his changing views over the decade.

COMPLEX

Scholars often rely on translated extracts when the original manuscript is too fragile for public display or remains held in a private collection.

Synonyms
Usage

Usually used in the plural when referring to multiple passages from one or more sources.

© 2026 English Reference