extinguish

/ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/ (ame, ipa) · /ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish/ (ame, mw)

extinguish — verb

  • extinguishpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • extinguisheshe / she / it
  • extinguishedpast simple
  • extinguishing-ing form

1. to make a fire, flame, or light stop burning or shining — for example, firefight

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to make a fire, flame, or light stop burning or shining — for example, firefighters putting out a house fire, or someone stubbing out a cigarette before entering a building.

例句

The fire crew arrived within minutes and quickly extinguished the blaze.

collocation: extinguish + blaze (large fire)

Kenji extinguished his cigarette before entering the hospital.

transitive: extinguish + cigarette

同義詞
  • put out

    Everyday equivalent; less formal than extinguish

  • douse

    Often means pouring water on a fire; more physical

  • quench

    Usually used for thirst or a flame needing to be suppressed quickly

  • snuff out

    Specifically for candles or small flames; done by covering or pressing

反義詞
  • light

    To cause something to start burning

  • ignite

    To set fire to something; more formal than light

文法句型

extinguish + noun (fire / flame / candle / cigarette / light)

用法筆記

More formal than 'put out.' In everyday conversation, people usually say 'put out a fire' or 'blow out a candle.' 'Extinguish' is common in news reports, safety instructions, and official writing.

常見錯誤

❌I extinguished the candle before bed.
✅I blew out the candle before bed.
💡'Extinguish' sounds overly formal in ordinary domestic situations.
❌She extinguished her phone.
✅She turned off her phone.
💡'Extinguish' is only used for fires, flames, and lights, not for electronic devices.
❌The campfire extinguished slowly.
✅The campfire went out slowly.' or 'They extinguished the campfire.
💡'Extinguish' is almost always transitive; you extinguish something.

2. to make a feeling, idea, or hope disappear completely so that it no longer exist

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to make a feeling, idea, or hope disappear completely so that it no longer exists — for example, a harsh rejection that destroys someone's ambition, or time slowly fading painful memories.

例句

The rejection letter extinguished any hope Arjun had of studying abroad.

extinguish + hope

Years of harsh criticism had slowly extinguished her passion for painting.

同義詞
  • destroy

    Stronger and more general; implies total ruin

  • erase

    Similar meaning but suggests wiping away completely

  • stamp out

    More forceful and deliberate; suggests active effort to eliminate

  • kill off

    Informal; used for hopes, ideas, or movements

反義詞
  • ignite

    To spark a feeling or idea; metaphorically start something

  • fuel

    To make a feeling or idea stronger

文法句型

extinguish + abstract noun (hope / passion / dream / anger)

用法筆記

Subject is usually an event, experience, or piece of news. Object is typically an abstract noun like hope, passion, dream, ambition, fear, or anger. This sense is always transitive and is common in formal or literary writing.

常見錯誤

❌The bad news extinguished me.
✅The bad news extinguished my hope.
💡'Extinguish' needs an abstract object (hope, passion, etc.), not a person.
❌She extinguished to study art.
✅She extinguished her ambition to study art.
💡'Extinguish' is not followed by a to-infinitive; it takes a noun object.