Extinct describesexplains what a person, thing, or idea is like something that no longer exists, especiallymore than usual; in a way that singles one example out a species or family that has died out. It can also mean something has gone out or cooled down, or that a volcano is no longer activestill working, moving, or able to do something.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ɪkˈstɪŋkt/
Easy pronunciation: ik-STINGKT (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the second syllable.
Use the adjective meaning no longer in existence; died out.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Extinct Meaning
gone forever; no longer living or existing
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: no longer in existence; having died out with no living examples left
Example: The dodo is an extinct bird.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- nonextant — A direct synonym for the sense of no longer existing.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Extinct
Meaning 2
no longer burning or lit
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: being out or having grown cold
Example: He tossed his extinct cigarette into the stream.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- out — Works for a flame, cigarette, or similar thing that is no longer burning.
Meaning 3
no longer active or erupting
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: permanently inactive
Example: Scientists studied the extinct volcano.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Extinct Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- nonextant
no longer burning or lit
- out
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not use extinct for something that is merely old, rare, or endangered; it means completely gone or no longer active.
- Extinct can describe a species, family, custom, flame, or volcano, but the meaning changes by context.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does extinct mean?
Extinct means no longer in existence, especially when a species, family, or custom has died out.
What is a simple synonym for extinct?
For the main meaning, a close synonym is nonextant. In the sense of a flame or cigarette, out can work.
Can extinct describe a volcano?
Yes. An extinct volcano is one that is no longer active and is not expected to erupt again.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.