Extent Meaning and Definition

Extent

Pronunciation

/ˈɛkstənt/

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

The limit or boundary of something; the scope or range of something.

Examples

  • The extent of the park’s hiking trails is over 100 miles.
  • The report highlights the extent of the damage caused by the storm.

Synonyms

  • Limit
  • Boundary
  • Scope
  • Range

Antonyms

  • Magnitude
  • Scale

Etymology

The word “extent” comes from the Old French “estent”, meaning “extent” or ” measure”, which is derived from the Latin “extentio”, meaning “stretching out” or “expansion”.

Usage Notes

The word “extent” is often used in formal or technical contexts, such as in scientific or academic writing, to describe the limits or boundaries of a particular phenomenon, concept, or process.

Cultural References

The word “extent” appears in various cultural references, such as in literature (e.g. Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”) and music (e.g. in song titles like “The Extent of My Love”).

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

  • To the full extent of one’s ability
  • To the extent that

Related Words or Phrases

  • Boundary
  • Limited
  • Scope

Collocations

  • To the full extent of my power
  • The extent of the damage

Frequency of Use

The word “extent” is moderately common in modern language, particularly in formal or technical contexts.

Common Misspellings

  • Extent
  • Exscent
  • Excent

Related Words