extraterrestrial

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​tra·​ter·​res·​tri·​al ˌek-strə-tə-ˈre-strē-əl 

-ˈres-chəl, 

-ˈresh-chəl

: originating, existing, or occurring outside the earth or its atmosphere

extraterrestrial life

extraterrestrial

2 of 2

noun

: a being from another world : an extraterrestrial being

Examples of extraterrestrial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Thanks to the wonders of extraterrestrial medicine, Klaatu's recovery is remarkably swift. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Gosling is in the conversation for Best Actor for his portrayal of a scientist marooned alone on a spacecraft, as are Sandra Hüller and James Ortiz, who plays the sage extraterrestrial Rocky. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026

Noun

As the extraterrestrials prepare their arrival, down on the surface several strangers find their fates linked. — Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

Astrobiologists consider a planet’s age when searching for extraterrestrials. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1848, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1950, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for extraterrestrial

• estriol
• terrestrial

Kids Definition

extraterrestrial

adjective

ex·​tra·​ter·​res·​tri·​al

ˌek-strə-tə-ˈres-trē-əl

: coming from or existing outside the earth or its atmosphere

extraterrestrial life

extraterrestrial noun