Meaning & use
extrovert
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A person who enjoys being with other people and gets energy from social contact.
Grammar: Countable: an extrovert, two extroverts. Often used after be or become.
Patterns
- be an extrovert
- a natural extrovert
My brother is a real extrovert; he talks to strangers everywhere he goes.
As an extrovert, she finds large parties exciting rather than tiring.
The team needs an extrovert who can present ideas to clients.
adjectivebefore a nouninformal
Having an outgoing, sociable personality.
Grammar: Used before a noun, as in extrovert personality; the form extroverted is more common in this meaning.
Patterns
- extrovert personality
- extrovert type
He has an extrovert personality and loves being the center of attention.
Her extrovert style makes her a natural leader in group projects.
Word forms
| plural | extroverts |
|---|
Common combinations
- a natural extrovert
- Even as a child, she was a natural extrovert.
- come across as an extrovert
- He comes across as an extrovert, but he needs time alone too.
- extrovert personality
- His extrovert personality made him popular at work.
Synonyms and how they differ
- outgoing person
- Outgoing person is a general phrase; extrovert is a more technical term from psychology.
- social butterfly
- Social butterfly is informal and suggests someone who flits between many social groups; extrovert is neutral.
Opposites
Word family
- extroverted adjective
- Describing someone who is outgoing and sociable.
- extroversion noun
- The quality of being outgoing and energized by social contact.
Commonly confused: extrovert or introvert?
extrovert vs introvert
An introvert gains energy from time alone and may prefer quiet settings; an extrovert gains energy from being with others.
Practice
After a long week of meetings, the ______ felt energized by the crowd at the party.
Choose one answer.
Feeling energized by a crowd is typical of an extrovert. An introvert would more likely feel drained, and loner and recluse suggest someone who avoids people.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “extrovert”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.