extroversion

[ ek-struh-vur-zhuhn, -shuhn, ek-struh-vur-, -stroh- ]

noun

1. a disposition that is energized through social engagement and languishes or chafes in solitude, resulting in a personality that is gregarious, outgoing, and sociable.
2. Psychology.
   1. the act of directing one's interest outward or to things outside the self.
   2. the state of being concerned primarily with things outside the self, with the external environment rather than with one's own thoughts and feelings. Compare introversion ( def 4 ).
3. Pathology. a turning inside out, as of the eyelids or of the bladder.

extroversion

/ ˌɛkstrəˈvɜːʃən /

noun

1. psychol the directing of one's interest outwards, esp towards social contacts
2. pathol a turning inside out of an organ or part

Derived Forms

• ˌextroˈversive, adjective
• ˌextroˈversively, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·tro·ver·sive ex·tro·ver·tive adjective
• ex·tro·ver·sive·ly ex·tro·ver·tive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of extroversion¹

First recorded in 1650–60 and in 1915–20 extroversion fordef 2; from extro-, alternative form of Latin adverb and preposition extrā “outside,” formed on the model of the Latin adverb intrō “inside, indoors” + Medieval Latin versiōn- (stem of versiō ), derivative of versus, past participle of vertere “to turn”; extro-, verse ¹( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of extroversion¹

C17: from extro- (variant of extra- , contrasting with intro- ) + -version, from Latin vertere to turn

Example Sentences

Summer is a streak of extroversion and adventure full of unhurried afternoons and al fresco dining.

From Los Angeles Times

Shadow is one of them but also synchronicity, introversion and extroversion, the collective unconscious.

From Los Angeles Times

With a malleable, mellow tone and bouncy bass lines, Olafsson was true to his word, exploring a tension between introversion and extroversion and giving each piece a dynamic topography.

From New York Times

Social and behavioral scientists have harnessed the same data to explore the genetics of traits such as extroversion, sexual orientation, and how far people went in school.

From Science Magazine

Psychologists use personality traits such as extroversion, neuroticism or anxiety as a means of characterizing typical patterns of thought, emotion and behavior that differ from one person to the next.

From Scientific American

More About Extroversion

What does extroversion mean?

Extroversion is the state or quality of being an extrovert—someone said to have a personality type that is social and outgoing.

Extroversion is often contrasted with introversion (the state or quality of being an introvert) in the study, classification, and popular discussion of personality types.

Extroverts enjoy being around other people and tend to focus on the outside world, while introverts are the opposite—they prefer solitude and tend to focus on their own thoughts. Someone who displays extroversion can be described as extroverted.

Less commonly, the word can be spelled extraversion.

Example: Giovanni’s extroversion drew everyone in the room to him—he was endlessly outgoing.

Where does extroversion come from?

The first records of extroversion (and extrovert) come from the 1600s—around the same as introvert and introversion. These terms precede online personality quizzes by about 400 years, but it wasn’t until the 1900s that they began to be popularly used in the context of psychology to refer to people with certain personality types. The first part of extrovert is a variation of the prefix extra- (hence the variant spelling extravert), meaning “outside,” and the Latin vertere, meaning “to turn” (as in invert). Etymologically, introverts turn inward and extroverts turn outward.

While introverts are turning in for the night, extroverts are turning up at parties (and often texting their introvert friends to see if they’re coming). The concept of personality types like extrovert and introvert (among others) was developed by psychologist Carl Jung in the early 1900s. He described extroversion as generally involving responsiveness to other people, aggressiveness, and the ability to be quick with decision making. Extroverts thrive around other people, while introverts are thought to do best in familiar environments with less social uncertainty. Displaying extroversion is often seen as desirable. Though some people are highly extroverted, many personality type theories state that most people have at least some elements of introversion and extroversion.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to extroversion?

• extrovert (noun)
• extroverted (adjective)

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

• introversion
• introvert
• ambivert
• extra

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

• outgoing
• social
• friendly
• talkative
• gregarious
• social butterfly
• personality
• type
• psychology

How is extroversion used in real life?

Extroversion is often used in the context of personality tests that claim to be able to tell you what kind of personality type you are.

A lot of people confuse extroversion with confidence. They are not the same thing.

You can be a confident introvert. You can be an insecure extrovert. And either can change over time.

— nyla (@nylaLXD) May 29, 2020

My extroversion is blatant. Anyone who knows me, knows that.. I don’t have trouble speaking to anybody about anything. What’s on my mind is what’s in my heart and it doesn’t reside there for long.. (1/2)

— marco (@marcomiacosa) May 27, 2020

Even with their moments of introspection, previous 1975 albums were feats of extroversion. But “Notes on a Conditional Form” seems to be reaching for something more youthful, innocent and even private. https://t.co/j0B4y1dZ30

— New York Times Music (@nytimesmusic) May 29, 2020

 

 

Try using extroversion!

Which of the following words is LEAST likely to be used to describe someone who displays extroversion?

A. outgoing
B. affable
C. gregarious
D. reserved