Word
extraterrestrial
Phoneticsex·trater·res·tri·al
US/ˌɛkstɹətɝˈɛstɹiəɫ/
UK/ˌɛkstɹətəɹˈɛstɹɪəl/
Countable noun Astronomy
Definition
n. a living creature that comes from a place outside of Earth, like another planet.
n. a hypothetical being originating from outside the Earth or its atmosphere.
Examples
“The movie is about a friendly extraterrestrial who gets lost on Earth.”
“Scientists use powerful telescopes to search for signals that might prove the existence of an extraterrestrial.”
“While popular culture often depicts an extraterrestrial as a humanoid figure, astrobiologists suggest that alien life is more likely to be microbial.”
Examples
simple
“The movie is about a friendly extraterrestrial who gets lost on Earth.”
contextual
“Scientists use powerful telescopes to search for signals that might prove the existence of an extraterrestrial.”
complex
“While popular culture often depicts an extraterrestrial as a humanoid figure, astrobiologists suggest that alien life is more likely to be microbial.”
Usage
Often used as an adjective to describe things related to outer space, but functions as a noun when referring to the being itself.
Real-World Examples
“Not only is there no evidence that extraterrestrials are trying to contact or visit us; there is no evidence that they exist at all.” “That question is at the center of a new paper published in Nature Astronomy , where researchers examine the often-overlooked problem of "false negatives" in the search for extraterrestrial life.” “For their argument, Schwitzgebel and Pober estimate that at least 1,000 behaviorally sophisticated extraterrestrial civilizations have existed somewhere in the universe.” “Alien experts claim powerful extraterrestrial life exists in the universe, which is beyond the control of any government — and could wipe out life on earth.” Etymology
From extra- + terrestrial.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
The word in film
Original artwork created for englishreference.com.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial · 1982 · Sci-Fi
- Directed by:
- Steven Spielberg
- Starring:
- Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Dee Wallace
Steven Spielberg directed this beloved 1980s sci-fi classic about a gentle visitor from another planet who becomes stranded on Earth. After being discovered by a young boy, the creature must find a way to contact his home world while avoiding government capture.
Domain
- 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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