endangered

American  

[en-deyn-jerd] / ɛnˈdeɪn dʒərd /

adjective

1. threatened with a danger.

   endangered lives of trapped coal miners.

2. Biology, Ecology. generally perceived as threatened with extinction.

   In 1967, the U.S. government declared the bald eagle endangered, but the national bird’s population recovery since then has been remarkable.

3. Biology, Ecology. (of a threatened plant or animal species) having a very high risk of extinction, second only to the status of critically endangered, as categorized by the IUCN Red List: EN

   There are more than 3,600 endangered plant species throughout the world.

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endangered British  

/ ɪnˈdeɪndʒəd /

adjective

1. in danger: used esp of animals in danger of extinction

   the giant panda is an endangered species

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Other Word Forms

• unendangered
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of endangered

First recorded in 1590–1600; endanger + -ed ²

Compare meaning

How does endangered compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• endangered vs. threatened species

Explanation

An animal that is endangered is close to extinction — meaning there aren't very many of that type of animal left in the world. This word is used mostly to describe animal species that are not doing very well: animals usually become endangered because of over hunting or the destruction of their habitat. Environmental groups and animal-lovers try to help endangered species survive. Outside of the animal kingdom, you can say anything that seems to be dying out is endangered, like good manners, phone booths, or the art of letter writing.

Example Sentences

Communications between firefighters and state officials showed that protecting endangered plant species from firefighting equipment took priority over ensuring the embers were fully extinguished.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

Eels bred in captivity will be sold in Japanese shops for the first time, in a move that could ease eventually pressure on the endangered fish, officials said Wednesday.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

The Gilbert's potoroo, a critically endangered species found only in Western Australia, has fewer than 150 animals left in the wild.

From Science Daily • May 20, 2026

The facility will also house a conservation center for endangered objects and paper archives, and will feature a digitization and imaging lab that will make the collections available online, free of charge.

From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2026

You are all we have, and you come to us endangered.

From "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Related Words

• threatened