extent

Tweet

noun

Definition of EXTENT

1

a real or imaginary point beyond which a person or thing cannot go <the coach exceeded the extent of his authority by exempting some of the players from the requirement>

Synonyms bound, boundary, cap, ceiling, confines, end, extent, limitation, line, termination

Related Words extremity, fag end, terminus; border, brim, edge, margin, rim, verge; outside; bar, barrier, fence, hedge, restraint, stop, wall

2

a wide space or area <the seemingly endless extent of the windswept prairies>

Synonyms breadth, distance, expansion, extent, field, length, plain, reach, sheet, spread, stretch, waste

Related Words domain, sphere, territory; compass, range, scope, sweep; gamut, scale, spectrum; depth, emptiness, void; extension, latitude, span; amplitude, immensity, magnitude

3

an area over which activity, capacity, or influence extends <the extent of this criminal investigation has widened considerably since it began>

Synonyms ambit, amplitude, breadth, compass, confines, dimension(s), extent, reach, realm, scope, sweep, width

Related Words gamut, spectrum, spread; bailiwick, circle, demesne, department, discipline, domain, element, fief, fiefdom, field, province, region, specialty, sphere, terrain; frontier; horizon, panorama

4

the total amount of measurable space or surface occupied by something <looking at the extent of the stain on my shirt, you might think that I had spilled a gallon of coffee>

Synonyms bulk, dimension, extent, magnitude, measure, measurement, proportion

Related Words area; capaciousness, commodiousness, roominess, spaciousness; ampleness, amplitude, bigness, bulkiness, enormousness, grandness, greatness, grossness, heftiness, hugeness, immenseness, immensity, largeness, mass, massiveness, monstrousness, stupendousness, tremendousness, vastness, volume, voluminousness