extent

[ ik-stent ]

noun

1. the space or degree to which a thing extends; length, area, volume, or scope:

   the extent of his lands; to be right to a certain extent.

   Synonyms: length, reach, stretch, expanse, range, compass, amount, measure, magnitude

2. something extended, as a space; a particular length, area, or volume; something having extension:

   the limitless extent of the skies.

3. U.S. Law. a writ, or a levy, by which a debtor's lands are valued and transferred to the creditor, absolutely or for a term of years.
4. English Law.
   1. Also called writ of extent. a writ to recover debts of a record due to the crown, under which land, property, etc., may be seized.
   2. a seizure made under such a writ.
5. Logic. extension ( def 12 ).
6. Archaic. assessment or valuation, as of land.

extent

/ ɪkˈstɛnt /

noun

1. the range over which something extends; scope

   the extent of the damage

2. an area or volume

   a vast extent of concrete

3. law a writ authorizing a person to whom a debt is due to assume temporary possession of his debtor's lands
4. logic another word for extension

Other Words From

• preex·tent noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of extent¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English extente “assessment,” from Medieval Latin extenta, noun use of feminine of Latin extentus “stretched out,” past participle of extendere “to stretch out”; extend

Word History and Origins

Origin of extent¹

C14: from Old French extente, from Latin extentus extensive, from extendere to extend

Idioms and Phrases

see to some degree (extent) .

Example Sentences

Federer added that Nadal made him "reimagine" his game, to the extent that the Swiss changed the size of his racquet head.

From BBC

In this study, researchers looked at the levels of neonicotinoids in surface and groundwater across Minnesota, identifying factors that may affect the extent of contamination.

From Science Daily

Copyright Office granted access to medical device data, encompassing devices that aren’t implanted and allowing patients to authorize third parties to access devices to a certain extent.

From Salon

“To the extent that we are sustaining housing scarcity, we are sustaining rising rents and home prices and unaffordability.”

From Los Angeles Times

Some were gullible, many were low-information voters getting their news, to the extent they paid attention to the news, from Fox and right-wing social media.

From Salon

Related Words

• amount
• breadth
• degree
• duration
• expansion
• intensity
• length
• matter
• measure
• quantity
• scope
• size
• term

More About Extent

What is extent?

Extent is the length, area, volume, or scope something reaches to, as in The extent of Sheree’s knowledge of science fiction was very deep.

Extent is a very common term that can refer to measurements, concepts, ideals, plans, and many other fields that measure anything, literal or figurative.

Extent can also refer to something that has a lengthening, stretching out, or enlarging scope, especially when the boundaries aren’t known. You might hear someone talk about the limitless extent of space, for example.

The phrase the extent of means that something has reached the extreme or the border of how far it can go, as in I can raise your allowance by $5, but that’s the extent of what I can do.

Example: We know that the pan can get hot, but we are unsure to what extent.

Where does extent come from?

The first records of the term extent come from around 1250. It ultimately comes from the Latin extendere, meaning “to extend.”

Extent has specific meanings in the law. In the United States, an extent is a formal order, or writ, that allows a creditor to take over a debtor’s lands, either temporarily or permanently, when the debtor can’t pay the debt.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to extent?

• preextent (noun)

What are some synonyms for extent?

• amount
• intensity
• length
• measure
• size

What are some words that share a root or word element with extent? 

• extend

What are some words that often get used in discussing extent?

• amount
• measurement
• size
• term

What are some words extent may be commonly confused with?

• extant
• extend

How is extent used in real life?

Extent is almost always used in discussions about measurement, even when dealing with debt.

The WHO warned Monday that global risks posed by the Omicron variant were "very high," though the extent of the threat is unknown. Officials urged countries to step up surveillance, testing and vaccinations in response to the new variant. https://t.co/5wmYP35Q86

— The New York Times (@nytimes) November 29, 2021

i want to live in a culture where the amount of power someone has is directly proportional to the extent they're able to be empathetic

— 🔴Live ttv/tytyoakley | (@tyleroakley) December 20, 2016

Never doubt the extent of your impact

— Nash Grier (@Nashgrier) November 28, 2017

 

Try using extent!

Is extent used correctly in the following sentence?

Caleb didn’t study to a great extent for the final exam, but he managed to pass it anyway.