Meaning & use
extract
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To take something out, often with effort or care, from a place or larger source.
Grammar: Takes an object: extract a tooth.
Patterns
- extract something from something
The dentist had to extract a damaged tooth.
Workers extract copper from the mine.
She tried to extract a promise from him.
verbtransitive
To obtain information or a meaning from a source.
Grammar: Often with from: extract data from the report.
Patterns
- extract information from something
The software can extract names from the documents.
Scientists extract meaning from patterns in the data.
I could not extract a clear answer from the manager.
nouncountable
A short passage taken from a longer book, film, or text.
Grammar: Pronounced with stress on the first syllable as a noun.
Patterns
- an extract from something
We read an extract from the novel in class.
The magazine printed an extract of her memoir.
Play the extract again and listen closely.
nouncountable or uncountable
A concentrated substance taken from a plant or food, used for flavor or medicine.
Grammar: Often with a food name: vanilla extract.
Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the batter.
The cream contains aloe extract.
Green tea extract is sold as a supplement.
Word forms
| third person singular | extracts |
|---|---|
| past tense | extracted |
| past participle | extracted |
| -ing form | extracting |
| plural | extracts |
Common combinations
- extract information
- Police tried to extract information from the witness.
- extract oil
- The company extracts oil from the seabed.
- vanilla extract
- The recipe calls for vanilla extract.
- extract from a book
- Read the extract from the book.
- extract a tooth
- The dentist extracted a tooth.
Synonyms and how they differ
- remove
- Remove is the general word, while extract implies pulling out something from within.
- draw out
- Draw out suggests slowly coaxing something, while extract is more technical.
- excerpt
- Excerpt names a passage from a text, whereas extract also works as a verb.
- obtain
- Obtain means to get by any means, whereas extract suggests effort.
Opposites
Word family
- extraction noun
- the act of taking something out
- extractor noun
- a device that removes something
- extractable adjective
- able to be taken out
- extractive adjective
- relating to taking resources from the earth
Commonly confused: extract or abstract?
extract vs abstract
An abstract is a summary of a paper, while an extract is a piece taken directly from the original.
Practice
The dentist had to ___ the broken tooth.
Choose one answer.
Extract means take out, which fits a dentist removing a tooth. Insert is the opposite.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “extract”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.