endangered
Americanadjective
-
threatened with a danger.
endangered lives of trapped coal miners.
-
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.
-
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.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of endangered
Compare meaning
How does endangered compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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.
Vocabulary lists containing endangered
Speak
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Africa - Introductory
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
May Vocabulary Words
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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 traditional closer, once one of the game’s most prestigious and well-compensated positions, has become an endangered species.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
And they use tools -- research last year showed a critically endangered population of orcas in the Salish Sea breaking off pieces of seaweed to rub and groom each other.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
What happens to the endangered desert tortoises is awful.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
Koalas have been officially listed as endangered in Queensland, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory since 2022.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 17, 2026
“Keeping an endangered species carries a fine and a year’s imprisonment.”
From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George
Definitions 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.
