Extant
/ɪkˈstænt/
Definitions
Still in existence; surviving.
/ɪkˈstænt/
The museum has several extant artifacts from the ancient civilization.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're looking at a really old book. If it still exists, it's 'extant'! It means it's still around, not lost or destroyed.
👶 For kids: Still around; not gone.
More Examples
Fortunately, many of Shakespeare's plays are still extant.
The extant evidence suggests a complex history.
How It's Used
"The extant Roman ruins provide a fascinating insight into their civilization."
"Only a few extant copies of the original manuscript remain."
"The extant species of the Komodo dragon is found on several Indonesian islands."
From Latin *exstāns* (stem *exstant-*), present participle of *exstāre* ('to stand out, be visible'), from *ex-* ('out') + *stāre* ('to stand').
The word 'extant' has been used since the 17th century, primarily in academic and literary contexts to describe things that continue to exist or survive.
Memory tip
Think of 'ex' as 'out' and 'stant' as 'standing'. Something 'extant' is still 'standing out' or existing.
Word Origin
"to stand out, to exist"