Basic Details
Word: Extinguish
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To put out a fire or a light; also to bring a hope or feeling to an end.
Synonyms: put out, douse, quench, snuff out
Antonyms: ignite, kindle, light
How to Spell Extinguish
Syllables: ex - tin - guish
Tricky part: The u after g is easy to miss because gu sounds like gw: ex-tin-gwish. Students write extingish or extinguesh.
Watch out for: extingish, extinguesh, extingwish
Memory tip: Extinguish and distinguish end in exactly the same way, tinguish. If you can spell one, you can spell the other.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The fire brigade took two hours to extinguish the fire at the godown.
Example 2: Please extinguish the diya before you leave the room.
Example 3: Nothing could extinguish her hope of playing for India.
Fun Fact
Fire extinguishers are made for different kinds of fire. Water must never be used on a burning oil pan or on electrical equipment, because it can make the danger worse.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word extinguish as used in the sentence:
The campers were told to extinguish the bonfire completely before going to sleep.
a) quench
b) douse
c) smother
d) kindle
Show answer
d) kindle. To kindle a fire is to get it going, the reverse of putting it out.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
Before leaving the laboratory, every student must check the gas taps and extingish any burner that is still lit, as our teacher reminds us at the end of each practical class.
a) burner
b) laboratory
c) extingish
d) practical
Show answer
c) extingish. A u follows the g, giving the gw sound you also hear in language.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. abolishe 2. replenesh 3. demollish 4. extinguish
a) to fill something up again
b) to knock down a building
c) to put out a fire or a light
d) to end a law or system officially
Show answer
c) to put out a fire or a light. Only extinguish is right as written; abolish ends in sh with no e, demolish has one l, and replenish ends in ish.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The safest way to extinguish a candle quickly is with ____.
a) an oil lamp
b) a candle snuffer
c) a matchbox
d) a fan heater
Show answer
b) a candle snuffer
2. The device kept on walls to fight small fires is called an ____.
a) extension
b) extractor
c) exhibitor
d) extinguisher
Show answer
d) extinguisher
