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

Comedic situations arise when Martin tries to blend in with humans while hiding his extraterrestrial powers. —Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

While extraterrestrial in name, the monitor doesn’t indulge in space-age RGB lighting, opting for a clean design. —PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2025

Noun

News outlets received a cryptic message about a big press event, where officials would unveil something of great significance related to astrobiology and extraterrestrials. —F.d. Flam, Twin Cities, 6 Aug. 2025

While setting off on a mission to find other inhabitable planets, astronaut pilot Brianna Young (Lashana Lynch) and her team of space explorers crash land on Tau Ceti f—a real exoplanet in the Tau Ceti star system—where they are hunted by a terrifying extraterrestrial that can mimic its prey. —Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 19 June 2025

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