extroverted

IPA/ˈekstrəvɜːtɪd/
KK[ˈɛkstrəvˌɚtɪd]IPA/ˈekstrəvɜːrtɪd/

extroverted — adjective

  • extrovertedpositive
  • more extrovertedcomparative
  • most extrovertedsuperlative

1. An extroverted person naturally gains energy from being around other people; the

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

An extroverted person naturally gains energy from being around other people; they tend to talk readily, feel comfortable in social gatherings, and often come across as bold or lively in group situations.

Example

Rohan has an extroverted personality and loves meeting new people at parties.

extroverted personality — common adjective-noun collocation

Eshe is quite extroverted, while her younger brother prefers reading alone in his room.

contrast with introverted behaviour using 'while'

Common collocations
  • extroverted personality
  • extroverted nature
  • extroverted type
  • extroverted individual
  • very / quite / extremely extroverted
  • more / less extroverted
  • become extroverted
Synonyms
  • outgoing

    more general term; B1-level; emphasises friendliness and ease with strangers, not the energy-from-others psychological aspect

  • sociable

    focuses on enjoying company and interaction; does not carry the extraversion-vs-introversion contrast

  • gregarious

    C1-level; more formal; suggests someone who actively seeks out company and thrives in crowds

Antonyms
  • introverted

    the direct opposite, describing someone who gains energy from solitude rather than social interaction

  • shy

    A2-level; describes nervousness or discomfort in social settings, not a fundamental energy source difference

  • reserved

    B2-level; describes someone who keeps thoughts/feelings private; a reserved person can still enjoy company

Grammar Patterns

be + extroverted

extroverted + noun

adverb of degree + extroverted

Usage Note

Distinguish from 'outgoing' and 'sociable': 'outgoing' emphasises friendliness and ease with strangers; 'sociable' emphasises enjoying the company of others; 'extroverted' specifically describes someone who draws energy from social interaction, often contrasted with 'introverted'. Not typically used for temporary moods — it describes a lasting personality trait. Frequently used in comparative forms ('more extroverted', 'less extroverted').

Common Mistakes

She was feeling extroverted today.
She felt outgoing today.
'Extroverted' describes a personality trait, not a temporary mood; use 'outgoing' or 'sociable' for temporary states.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe a person who is pleasant to be around, but they differ in scope and connotation. 'Outgoing' (B1) is the closest everyday equivalent to 'extroverted' — it describes someone who is comfortable starting conversations and meeting strangers, but it does not carry the introvert/extrovert energy-source contrast. 'Sociable' (B1) focuses on enjoying the company of others and participating in group activities; you can be sociable at a party without necessarily being the one who initiates conversation. 'Gregarious' (C1) is more formal and vivid, suggesting someone who actively seeks out crowds and lively settings — a gregarious person is the last to leave a party. 'Friendly' (A2) is the broadest and most basic term, describing a warm, kind manner toward others. A person can be friendly but reserved, or outgoing but not particularly friendly. For describing the personality type who recharges through interaction, 'extroverted' is the most precise.

outgoing ↗sociable ↗gregarious ↗friendly ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • more extroverted than
  • less extroverted than
  • become more extroverted

Etymology

LatinGermanEnglish

Coined in the early 20th century by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung as 'extraverted' (from Latin 'extra-' meaning 'outside' and 'vertere' meaning 'to turn'). The spelling 'extroverted' became more common in English due to analogy with 'introverted' and the influence of the Latin preposition 'extrō' (outward). Jung used the term in his 1921 book 'Psychological Types' to describe people whose psychic energy flows outward toward the external world, in contrast to introverts whose energy flows inward.