extinct

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​tinct ik-ˈstiŋ(k)t  ˈek-ˌstiŋ(k)t 

1

a

: no longer burning

b

: no longer active

an extinct volcano

2

: no longer existing

an extinct animal

3

a

: gone out of use : superseded

b

: having no qualified claimant

an extinct title

extinct

2 of 2

verb

extincted; extincting; extincts

transitive verb

archaic

: extinguish

Synonyms

Adjective

• defunct
• vanished
• gone
• expired
• obsolete

Examples of extinct in a Sentence

Adjective

Many of these old traditions have since become extinct.

a few overgrown ruins are all that remain of that once mighty but now extinct civilization

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In the business world, there is extensive literature warning against this—companies that refuse to adapt to market needs go extinct. —Pablo Listingart, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

What could possibly go wrong on such a slippery slope, where nothing remains sacred, tradition is going extinct and everything left is tacky and transactional? —Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 26 June 2025

In the chaotic aftermath of the strike, roughly 75 percent of all species worldwide went extinct, including the non-avian dinosaurs. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2025

And by 2100, about 90% of marine species could be extinct. —Vivienne Walt, Time, 11 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin exstinctus, past participle of exstinguere

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for extinct

• distinct
• hoodwinked
• precinct
• succinct
• unlinked
• blinked
• clinked
• inked
• kinked
• linked
• tinct
• winked

Kids Definition

extinct

adjective

ex·​tinct

ik-ˈstiŋ(k)t,

ˈek-ˌ

1

: no longer active

an extinct volcano

2

: no longer existing

an extinct species of animal

Medical Definition

extinct

adjective

ex·​tinct ik-ˈstiŋ(k)t  ˈek-ˌ 

: no longer existing : lacking living representatives

extinct prehistoric animals