extraterrestrial

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​tra·​ter·​res·​tri·​al ˌek-strə-tə-ˈre-strē-əl 

-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

Adjective

As the Green Lantern, Hal has the power to create material items through his ring, and acts as an intergalactic space officer protecting humanity from extraterrestrial threats. — Matt Minton, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026

Even still, the filmmaker is excited to let Edinburgh audiences begin probing this surprisingly affecting piece on loss and extraterrestrial life. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026

Noun

Evil Alien Conquerors stars Michael Weston as a man who witnesses the titular extraterrestrials (Parnell and Bader) literally fall to Earth from space. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Aug. 2026

There’s been a lot of dialogue about the possibility that extraterrestrials have visited the earth or at least our atmosphere. — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1848, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1950, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for extraterrestrial

• estriol
• terrestrial

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