extroversion
Americannoun
-
a disposition that is energized through social engagement and languishes or chafes in solitude, resulting in a personality that is gregarious, outgoing, and sociable.
-
Psychology.
-
the act of directing one's interest outward or to things outside the self.
-
the state of being concerned primarily with things outside the self, with the external environment rather than with one's own thoughts and feelings.
-
-
Pathology. a turning inside out, as of the eyelids or of the bladder.
noun
-
psychol the directing of one's interest outwards, esp towards social contacts
-
pathol a turning inside out of an organ or part
Usage
What does extroversion mean? Extroversion is the state or quality of being an extrovert—someone said to have a personality type that is social and outgoing. Extroversion is often contrasted with introversion (the state or quality of being an introvert) in the study, classification, and popular discussion of personality types. Extroverts enjoy being around other people and tend to focus on the outside world, while introverts are the opposite—they prefer solitude and tend to focus on their own thoughts. Someone who displays extroversion can be described as extroverted. Less commonly, the word can be spelled extraversion. Example: Giovanni’s extroversion drew everyone in the room to him—he was endlessly outgoing.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of extroversion
First recorded in 1650–60 and in 1915–20 extroversion for def. 2; from extro-, alternative form of Latin adverb and preposition extrā “outside,” formed on the model of the Latin adverb intrō “inside, indoors” + Medieval Latin versiōn- (stem of versiō ), derivative of versus, past participle of vertere “to turn”; see also extro-, verse 1 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The researchers controlled for alternative factors that could explain their results, such as education, extroversion and gender.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026
The way to increase extroversion, for example, is to join a team sport or attend more parties.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026
Summer is a streak of extroversion and adventure full of unhurried afternoons and al fresco dining.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2024
Psychologists have long described introversion and extroversion as extremes, with most of us falling somewhere in the middle.
From Slate ● Sep. 1, 2024
His new boss, he decided, went through phases of extroversion followed by periods of intense quiet.
From "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
