How to pronounce extinct
Say it like ik-STINGKT. Extinct has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STINGKT).
- ik
- STINGKT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Extinct pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- STINGKTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of extinct
American and British speakers say extinct in essentially the same way: /ɪkˈstɪŋkt/ in the US and /ɪkˈstɪŋkt/ in the UK.
British respelling: ik-STINGKT.
What does extinct mean?
- no longer in existence; lost or especially having died out leaving no living representatives“an extinct species of fish”“an extinct royal family”
- (of e.g. volcanos) permanently inactive“an extinct volcano”
- being out or having grown cold“threw his extinct cigarette into the stream”“the fire is out”
Where does extinct come from?
From Late Middle English extinct (“eliminated, eradicated, extinguished”), from Latin extīnctus, exstīnctus (“extinguished, quenched; destroyed, killed; made extinct”), the perfect passive participles of extinguō, exstinguō (“to extinguish,
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with extinct
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of extinct.
Questions about saying extinct
How do you pronounce extinct?
Say ik-STINGKT. The American pronunciation is /ɪkˈstɪŋkt/. In British English it is /ɪkˈstɪŋkt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in extinct?
Extinct has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STINGKT). Broken into parts: ik · STINGKT.
Do Americans and Brits say extinct the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪkˈstɪŋkt/ and the British form is /ɪkˈstɪŋkt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.