Vocabulary›C2›Deep time & the cosmos›The search for alien life›extraterrestrial
adjectiveC2

extraterrestrial

/ˌɛk.strə.təˈrɛs.tri.əl/
Lesson: The search for alien life

Coming from or existing beyond Earth.

Often used with life, intelligence, or organisms. As a noun, an extraterrestrial is a being from beyond Earth.

Illustration for extraterrestrial
EXAMPLES
  • The telescope has not found convincing evidence of extraterrestrial life yet.
  • The signal could have an extraterrestrial source, but the data are still inconclusive.
  • Extremophiles on Earth help scientists identify conditions that might support extraterrestrial organisms.
SYNONYMS
aliennon-terrestrial
ANTONYMS
terrestrial
WORD FAMILY
extraterrestrially (adverb) · terrestrial (adjective)
GRAMMAR
Adjective · usually before a noun
COMMON COLLOCATIONS
extraterrestrial lifeextraterrestrial intelligenceextraterrestrial organismextraterrestrial signal
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