extrovert

Also ex·tra·vert

[ek-struh-vurt, -stroh-]

noun

1. an outgoing, gregarious person who thrives in dynamic environments and seeks to maximize social engagement.

2. Psychology.,  a person characterized by extroversion; a person concerned primarily with the physical and social environment.

adjective

1. having 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.,  marked by extroversion.

verb (used with object)

1. Psychology.,  to direct (the mind, one's interest, etc.) outward or to things outside the self.

extrovert

/ ˈɛkstrəˌvɜːt /

noun

1. a person concerned more with external reality than inner feelings

adjective

1. of or characterized by extroversion

   extrovert tendencies

extrovert

1. A term introduced by the psychologist Carl Jung to describe a person whose motives and actions are directed outward. Extroverts are more prone to action than contemplation, make friends readily, adjust easily to social situations, and generally show warm interest in their surroundings. (Compare introvert.)

Other Word Forms

• extroverted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of extrovert¹

First recorded in 1665–75; extro- + Latin vertere “to turn”

Word History and Origins

Origin of extrovert¹

C20: from extro- (variant of _extra- , contrasting with _intro- ) + -vert, from Latin vertere to turn

When To Use

What does extrovert mean?

An extrovert is someone said to have a personality type that is social and outgoing.The term extrovert is often contrasted with the term 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’s an extrovert can be described as extroverted or as displaying extroversion. Less commonly, the word can be spelled extravert.Example: Giovanni was the kind of extrovert who gave everyone a personalized greeting upon entering the room.