How to pronounce extinction
Say it like ik-STINGK-shun. Extinction has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STINGK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce extinction. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ik
- STINGK
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Extinction 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.
- STINGKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of extinction
American and British speakers say extinction in essentially the same way: /ɪkˈstɪŋkʃən/ in the US and /ɪkˈstɪŋkʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: ik-STINGK-shun.
What does extinction mean?
- no longer active; extinguished“the extinction of the volcano”
- no longer in existence“the extinction of a species”
- the reduction of the intensity of radiation as a consequence of absorption and radiation
Where does extinction come from?
From late Middle English, borrowed from Latin extinctio (“extinction, annihilation”), from extinguere, past participle extinctus (“to extinguish”); see extinguish.
Words that rhyme with extinction
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of extinction.
Questions about saying extinction
How do you pronounce extinction?
Say ik-STINGK-shun. The American pronunciation is /ɪkˈstɪŋkʃən/. In British English it is /ɪkˈstɪŋkʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in extinction?
Extinction has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STINGK). Broken into parts: ik · STINGK · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say extinction the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪkˈstɪŋkʃən/ and the British form is /ɪkˈstɪŋkʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.