extraterrestrial

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​tra·​ter·​res·​tri·​al ˌek-strə-tə-ˈre-strē-əl How to pronounce extraterrestrial (audio)
-ˈres-chəl,
-ˈresh-chəl
: originating, existing, or occurring outside the earth or its atmosphere
extraterrestrial life

extraterrestrial

2 of 2

noun

: a being from another world : an extraterrestrial being

Examples of extraterrestrial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Feldman was intrigued by the prospect of making extraterrestrial contact via information: specifically, alien instructions on how to build an instrument that could talk to terrestrial humans. ArsTechnica, 13 July 2025 The main character of an upcoming DC Universe movie, Kara is the extraterrestrial cousin to Superman, rightful owner of the wily super-dog Krypto — and, as the Man of Steel and his robot friend Four (voiced by Alan Tudyk) establish, a party animal. Jack Smart, People.com, 11 July 2025
Noun
The terror is real, y'all, and the killer extraterrestrial goes perfectly with the galactic claustrophobia. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 14 June 2025 In September 2023, during a serious investigation into alien bodies, Goldberg actually got up from the Hot Topics table to approach a large screen displaying what appeared to be a deceased extraterrestrial. Joey Nolfi Published, EW.com, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for extraterrestrial

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1848, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of extraterrestrial was in 1848

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Cite this Entry

“Extraterrestrial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extraterrestrial. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

extraterrestrial

adjective
ex·​tra·​ter·​res·​tri·​al
ˌek-strə-tə-ˈres-trē-əl
: coming from or existing outside the earth or its atmosphere
extraterrestrial life
extraterrestrial noun

More from Merriam-Webster on extraterrestrial

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