3 syllables: Ex, tinc, tion. Stress on tinc.
ik-STINGK-shuhn
/ɪkˈstɪŋkʃən/
Extinction is pronounced ik-STINGK-shuhn (/ɪkˈstɪŋkʃən/). It has three syllables (Ex-tinc-tion), with the stress on "tinc". Extinction is the state or process of a species, family, or larger group ceasing to exist. It can also refer to the end of something once widespread or practiced. In biology, extinction means no living members of a given taxon remain. The term emphasizes permanence and complete disappearance rather than temporary absence.
nounExtinction is the state or process of a species, family, or larger group ceasing to exist. It can also refer to the end of something once widespread or practiced. In biology, extinction means no living members of a given taxon remain. The term emphasizes permanence and complete disappearance rather than temporary absence.
How to Pronounce Extinction
"The extinction of the dinosaurs reshaped Earth's ecological landscape."
"Scientists worry about the extinction of endangered species due to habitat loss."
"Cultural extinction occurs when traditional practices fade from a community."
Extinction is pronounced as /ɪkˈstɪŋk.ʃən/. It has three syllables: ex-ting-tion, with the primary stress on the second syllable: ex-STING-tion. The t-s sound blends, so the sequence is /tɪŋk.ʃən/. Be mindful of the ‘kst’ cluster after the initial vowel. Use a light, quick mouth opening for the second syllable and a soft release into the final /ən/. Audio reference you can check is Pronounce or established dictionaries linked in resources.
Common mistakes include misplacing the stress (saying ‘ex-TING-tion’), mispronouncing the /kst/ cluster as separate sounds, or dropping the second syllable leading to /ˈɪkstɪn/. To correct: keep the primary stress on the middle syllable, practice the /kst/ sequence as a single cluster by saying ex + t + shun quickly, and ensure the final /ən/ is light and unstressed. Practice a slow-to-fast progression to fix the flow between /k/ and /ʃ/.
Across US/UK/AU, the core pronunciation /ɪkˈstɪŋk.ʃən/ remains; the main differences are rhoticity and vowel quality in surrounding words. In US English, rhotic influence makes linking with /r/ less prominent here, while UK and AU maintain non-rhotic tendencies in some phrases, affecting connected speech. Vowel length in the first syllable may feel slightly shorter in US fast speech. Overall, the target word’s vowels stay compact and the /kst/ cluster remains intact.
The difficulty lies in the unusual /kst/ consonant cluster transitioning into /ʃ/ for the ending, which can blur as /-kʃən/ or /-tʃən/ in quick speech. The middle syllable bears primary stress, so runners often misplace it or soften the /t/ before /ʃ/. Also the unstressed final syllable /ən/ can reduce to a schwa without clarity. Focus on keeping the cluster tight and a crisp transition into /ʃən/.
Extinction contains all expected sounds for educated speakers; there are no silent letters. The challenge is not silent letters but the precise articulation of the /kst/ cluster and the /ʃ/ blend after it. Remember the second syllable carries the stress and the final /ən/ is unstressed. Slow practice with phoneme-by-phoneme breakdown helps—ex (short /e/) + ting (with /tɪŋ/) + shun ( /ʃən/ ).
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Extinction comes from Middle English extinction, via Old French extinction, from Latin extinctio, from the verb exstinguere meaning 'to quench, put out, extinguish.' Ex- meaning ‘out, out of,’ and stinguere from stinguere meaning ‘to quench, extinguish.’ The root stinguere is related to the sense of putting out a fire or ending light. In classical usage, extinctus (extinguished) appeared in Latin, while the form extinctio denoted act or result of quenching. In English, extinction gained traction in the 15th–16th centuries in scientific and philosophical language to describe the ending of species or practices. Over time, the word broadened to refer to any permanent termination or cessation, including cultural, technological, or feature-level absences. Today, extinction carries connotations of inevitability and finality, often used in scientific discourse, conservation policy, and discussions of biodiversity loss, while retaining metaphorical usage in contexts like language or traditions becoming extinct. The term is now standard in biology, ecology, and anthropology, with frequent usage in discussions of species risk, ecosystem resilience, and conservation strategies.
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Words that rhyme with "Extinction"
-ion sounds
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