Showing results for "endangered"

• past tense form of endanger.
• past participle of endanger.

endangered

American  

[en-dayn-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

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Etymology

Origin of endangered

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

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Compare meaning

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

• endangered vs. threatened species

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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

See Examples For:

endangered

Lions and white rhinos are listed as threatened, while black rhinos and tigers are endangered species.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2026

In the first global assessment of its kind, the world authority on threatened wildlife classified 96 percent of the planet's coral reef systems as "critically endangered" -- its highest risk category.

From Barron's ● Oct. 22, 2026

And firm names with a long list of partners are increasingly endangered; one or two names are in.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026

The project, which started in 2025, works with conservation partners and volunteer groups across Northumberland, Cumbria, Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside and southern Scotland to raise awareness of the endangered species.

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

Who knows, we might even acknowledge the fragility and vulnerability that always accompany high specialization in biology, and movements might start up for the protection of ourselves as a valuable, endangered species.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

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Related Words

• threatened

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