extroversion

Also ex·tra·ver·sion

[ek-struh-vur-zhuhn, -shuhn, ek-struh-vur-, -stroh-]

noun

1. a disposition that is energized through social engagement and languishes or chafes in solitude, resulting in a personality that is gregarious, outgoing, and sociable.

2. Psychology.

   1. the act of directing one's interest outward or to things outside the self.

   2. the state of being concerned primarily with things outside the self, with the external environment rather than with one's own thoughts and feelings.

3. Pathology.,  a turning inside out, as of the eyelids or of the bladder.

extroversion

/ ˌɛkstrəˈvɜːʃən /

noun

1. psychol the directing of one's interest outwards, esp towards social contacts

2. pathol a turning inside out of an organ or part

Other Word Forms

• extroversive adjective
• extrovertive adjective
• extroversively adverb
• extrovertively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of extroversion¹

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”; extro-, verse ¹ ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of extroversion¹

C17: from extro- (variant of _extra- , contrasting with _intro- ) + -version, from Latin vertere to turn

Example Sentences

The blood, sweat and extroversion is all in service of a compelling but labor-intensive social-media ad format that’s growing in popularity.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Summer is a streak of extroversion and adventure full of unhurried afternoons and al fresco dining.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Shadow is one of them but also synchronicity, introversion and extroversion, the collective unconscious.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

With a malleable, mellow tone and bouncy bass lines, Olafsson was true to his word, exploring a tension between introversion and extroversion and giving each piece a dynamic topography.

Read more on New York Times

Social and behavioral scientists have harnessed the same data to explore the genetics of traits such as extroversion, sexual orientation, and how far people went in school.

Read more on Science Magazine

When To Use

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.