extinct

1 of 2

adjective

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

1

a

: no longer burning

an extinct fire

an extinct hope

b

: no longer active

an extinct volcano

2

: no longer existing

an extinct animal

3

a

: gone out of use : superseded

extinct customs

b

: having no qualified claimant

an extinct title

extinct

2 of 2

verb

extincted; extincting; extincts

transitive verb

archaic

: extinguish

Synonyms of extinct

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

These are religions that, at least in their original shape, have gone extinct for a good reason. — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Sadly now extinct, the island was once home to the largest bird in the world, the incredible elephant bird. — Lydia Swinscoe, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026

As Wendorf points out, some 99% of the species that have ever existed are now extinct or have evolved into new forms. — Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Visitors are taken back in time to imagine how this now extinct creature — three times the size of a modern-day great white shark — used to swim right over the National Mall. — Amy Delaura, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2026

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: no longer active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