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: no longer active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: gone out of use : superseded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

• bygone
• bypast
• dead
• defunct
• departed
• done
• expired
• gone
• nonextant
• vanished

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

Many employees may also stay put as a result, though some will still seek new opportunities—especially those in relatively stable fields like healthcare. VIDEO QUIZ Ancient DNA from a species that has been extinct for at least 10,000 years lives on once again in the form of three baby animals. —Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

The company revealed the recent successful birth of three snowy white dire wolf puppies – an animal that was extinct. —Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025

The dire wolf has been extinct for over 10,000 years. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 8 Apr. 2025

The start-up Colossal Biosciences aims to use gene-editing technology to bring back the woolly mammoth and other extinct species. —Nitin Sekar, ArsTechnica, 5 Apr. 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: no longer active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