Word
extract
Meanings
to remove or take something out from something else
to obtain a substance from a material, often by using a process
a short piece taken from a longer text, speech, or work
Definition
To extract is to remove or take something out from a larger whole.
To extract means to pull, draw, or remove something from where it is contained. It is often used for taking a substance from a material, taking information from a text, or removing something that is stuck. As a noun, an extract is a short piece taken from a longer work or a concentrated substance taken from something.
Examples
- The researcher used a script to extract key phrases from thousands of interviews.
- I tried to extract the broken screw, but it was fused to the frame after years outdoors.
- They managed to extract useful insights from the survey despite the messy responses.
- She used a solvent to extract color from the dried leaves for her art project.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse extract with extort; extract means “take out/obtain,” while extort means “obtain by threats or force.”
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More verbs
- analyze To examine something carefully in order to understand it or explain it.
- scrutinize To scrutinize something is to examine it very carefully and in detail.
- affect To affect something is to influence it or cause it to change.
- allude To allude means to mention or suggest something indirectly without saying it clearly.
- elude To elude someone or something is to avoid being caught, understood, or remembered.