Meaning & use
extraversion
Last updated
Meaning
noununcountable
A personality trait of being outgoing, sociable, and energized by being with other people.
Grammar: Used without a plural; if you need to count, say 'a high level of extraversion'.
Patterns
- high extraversion
- low extraversion
- a measure of extraversion
Her extraversion makes her the center of any party.
Psychologists often measure extraversion with a questionnaire.
People with high extraversion tend to enjoy group activities.
Common combinations
- high extraversion
- High extraversion is linked to enjoying team sports.
- low extraversion
- Low extraversion doesn't mean someone is unfriendly.
- trait of extraversion
- Extraversion is one of the Big Five personality traits.
- measure extraversion
- Researchers measure extraversion using standard scales.
Synonyms and how they differ
- outgoingness
- Outgoingness is a plain everyday word for the same quality; extraversion is the technical term in psychology.
- sociability
- Sociability focuses on liking company; extraversion also includes drawing energy from social contact.
Opposites
Word family
- extravert noun
- A person who is outgoing and energized by social contact.
- extraverted adjective
- Describing someone who is outgoing and sociable.
Commonly confused: extraversion or extroversion?
extraversion vs extroversion
Extroversion is a common variant spelling; extraversion is preferred in academic psychology.
Practice
In psychology, the opposite of introversion is called _____.
Choose one answer.
Extraversion is the standard term in psychology for the outgoing personality trait. Extroversion is a variant spelling but less common in research; extravasation means fluid leaking from a vessel, and extraction means removal.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “extraversion”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.