Extrovert Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It?

Wondering what extrovert means? We can help! Read on as we uncover the meaning of extrovert, its origins, synonyms, and more.

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Do you love meeting new people? Would you rather be out and about socializing than stuck at home? Does a big social gathering leave you feeling renewed? If you can answer yes to any of these questions, there’s a pretty good chance that you might be an extrovert. 

What Does Extrovert Mean?

Defined by the Cambridge English Dictionary as an energetic person who enjoys being with other people, the noun extrovert — also spelled extravert — has a specialized sense in psychology. 

As a psychological term, the word extrovert was borrowed from German extravertiert, from the prefix extra, meaning “outside” or “beyond.” It also comes from the Latin vertere, meaning “to turn.” People first used this term between 1665 and 1675. However, the term was popularized in the English language during the early 20th century following its use by famous psychiatrist Carl Jung.  

What Are the Synonyms of Extrovert?

Did you know that there are words with the same or nearly the same meaning as extrovert? Yup, it’s true — and learning these like-words (AKA, synonyms) can help you to expand your vocabulary and further your understanding of the term extrovert. 

Synonyms of extrovert include:

  • Outgoing person
  • Mingler
  • Socializer
  • Socialite
  • Befriender
  • Mixer
  • Character
  • Sociable person
  • Live one
  • Live wire
  • Social butterfly
  • Party animal
  • People person
  • Life of the party
  • Social adept
  • Gregarious person
  • Entertainer

As you can see, many words have the same meaning as extrovert. 

What Are the Antonyms of Extrovert?

In addition to discovering words with a similar meaning, learning words with an opposite meaning — or antonyms — can also improve your vocabulary. Antonyms of the term extrovert include:

  • Introvert
  • Observer
  • Homebody
  • Brooder
  • Solitary
  • Wallflower
  • Loner
  • Self-observer
  • Thinker
  • Cool
  • Reclusive
  • Soft-spoken
  • Quiet
  • Cold
  • Close-mouthed
  • Withdrawn

Examples of Extrovert in a Sentence

Now that you understand what extrovert means, let’s look at a few examples of the term used in a sentence. 

“If you prefer solitude and alone time, you’re likely not an extrovert.”

“I am an extrovert who loves the outside world, meeting new people, and non-stop social interaction.”

“Jody must be an extrovert because she always has to be the center of attention.”

“No shyness here; we’re all extroverts!”

“I took a personality assessment in January to see where I fell on the spectrum, and the results concluded that I am an extrovert.” 

“If you seek out social stimulation and enjoy spending time with people, you likely have an extrovert personality.” 

“I took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and found that I am more concerned with practical realities than with inner thoughts and feelings, making me an extrovert rather than an introvert.” 

“We learned that the term introvert is the direct opposite of the term extrovert.”

“Did you know that extroverts often have higher blood flow in areas of the brain associated with sensory and emotions?”

“Even though I’m an extrovert, I found the book called ‘The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking’ written by Susan Cain to be quite interesting.”

Extrovert as an Adjective

Although extrovert is commonly used as a noun, but it can also be used as an adjective. As an adjective, extrovert is defined as having a disposition that is energized through social engagement and languishes in solitude, resulting in a personality that is sociable, outgoing, and gregarious. 

Personality Traits of an Extrovert

Psychologists have identified several traits that most extroverts possess, such as sociability, cheerfulness, and assertiveness. Think you might have an extroverted personality? Here are a few signs:

  • Attention seeker
  • Sociable
  • Outgoing
  • Energized by being around others
  • Enjoy working in group settings or as a team
  • Life of the party
  • Very talkative (aka — chatterbox)
  • Prefers talking verbally over writing or texting
  • Risktaker
  • Leader
  • Positive
  • High energy
  • Have a wide social circle
  • Very open and personable

If you possess more than a handful of these qualities, you’re likely an extrovert.

Are There Any Famous Extroverts?

Seeing as celebrities are often outgoing and sociable people, it’s no surprise that many of them are extroverts. That said, if you are an extrovert, here are some famous people that share your personality type:

  • Tom Hanks
  • Oprah
  • Johnny Depp
  • Robin Williams
  • Bill Cosby
  • Madonna
  • Jerry Seinfeld
  • Bruce Willis
  • Mathew Perry
  • Ringo Starr
  • Miley Cyrus
  • Adam Levine
  • Dolly Parton
  • Elvis Presley
  • Katy Perry
  • Mark Cuban
  • Zac Efron
  • Cameron Diaz
  • Steve Irwin
  • John Goodman
  • Andy Samberg
  • Will Smith
  • Leonardo DiCaprio

As you can see, quite a few famous folks are extroverts! 

A Final Word

So, what does extrovert mean, you ask?

Simply put, the word extrovert describes one aspect of a personality dimension that is characterized by an outgoing and expressive pattern of behavior and social interaction. Those with this personality type tend to be warm, active, positive, bubbly, and out-going.

Want to see if you’re an extrovert? Take a personality assessment to find out your personality type. The Big Five Personality Test is arguably one of the best measures of extroversion and introversion. It’s based on the five-factor model of personality and measures other major personality traits, such as neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness. 

Sources:

  1. Extrovert Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
  2. EXTROVERT | Cambridge English Dictionary
  3. C G Jungs Theory | Myers Briggs