Meaning & use
extraterrestrial
Coming from, existing, or occurring outside the planet Earth or its atmosphere.
See it in a sentence
Astronomers search for signs of extraterrestrial life on distant, potentially habitable planets.
The museum's new exhibit explores theories about extraterrestrial visits to ancient Earth.
A note on using this word
'Extraterrestrial' is often shortened informally to 'alien', though 'alien' can also refer to a foreign national on Earth.
Words with a similar meaning
This term is best learned through its definition and examples.
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. noun
A hypothetical being originating from outside Earth.
The film follows a friendly extraterrestrial stranded on Earth who befriends a young boy.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “extraterrestrial”, then compare your use with the examples above.