extinguish
C1Formal / Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To cause (a fire, light, or flame) to stop burning or glowing; to put out.
To put an end to, destroy, or wipe out something abstract (e.g., hope, a feeling, a right, a species).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In its literal sense, it implies a deliberate, often skillful act of stopping combustion. Figuratively, it conveys finality and completeness in ending something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Equally formal in both varieties. The figurative use is slightly more common in formal or literary contexts.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American legal and insurance contexts (e.g., 'extinguish a debt', 'extinguish a right').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SV(O): Firefighters extinguished the blaze.SV: The last hopes extinguished.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “extinguish a fire”
- “snuff out a life (figurative)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To extinguish a debt or liability (formal accounting/legal).
Academic
Used in ecology ('extinguish a species'), law ('extinguish a right'), or psychology ('extinguish a conditioned response').
Everyday
Primarily for putting out fires, candles, or cigarettes.
Technical
In firefighting and safety engineering; in psychology (behavioral extinction).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The crew managed to extinguish the galley fire promptly.
- The new law could extinguish certain ancient rights.
American English
- They used a blanket to extinguish the campfire completely.
- The court ruling extinguished any hope of an appeal.
adverb
British English
- N/A – 'extinguish' does not have a standard adverb form. 'Extinguishingly' is non-standard.
American English
- N/A – 'extinguish' does not have a standard adverb form. 'Extinguishingly' is non-standard.
adjective
British English
- The extinguishing agent was a fine chemical powder.
- They reviewed the fire-extinguishing procedures.
American English
- The extinguishing foam covered the fuel spill.
- They installed a new fire-extinguishing system.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please extinguish your candles before bed.
- The firefighter helped extinguish the fire.
- They used sand to extinguish the small blaze.
- The heavy rain helped extinguish the forest fire.
- The treaty aimed to extinguish all previous territorial claims.
- Her harsh criticism extinguished his passion for the project.
- The species was nearly extinguished by habitat loss.
- The groundbreaking research extinguished the long-held theory.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'EXit + STING + UISH' – to make the sting of a fire exit.
Conceptual Metaphor
ENDING IS EXTINGUISHING A FIRE (e.g., 'His reply extinguished our enthusiasm').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not 'extinguisher' for a person; that's 'пожарный'. 'Extinguisher' only means 'огнетушитель'.
- Avoid using for simply 'turning off' a lamp or appliance; use 'switch off' or 'turn off'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He extinguished the lamp.' (if just switching off) Correct: 'He extinguished the candle.'
- Misspelling: 'extenguish', 'extinguish'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'extinguish' used INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The main noun is 'extinction' (for a state or process). The device is a 'fire extinguisher'. The act is 'extinguishment' (formal, especially in law).
No. While the primary meaning is for fire/light, it is commonly used figuratively to mean 'end completely' (e.g., hope, debt, a right, a species).
They are often confused by learners. 'Extinguish' means to put out (a fire). 'Distinguish' means to recognize differences or to be a defining characteristic.
Rarely. It typically has a neutral (putting out a fire) or negative connotation (ending something desirable like hope or a species).