extroversion

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

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a disposition that is energized through social engagement and languishes or chafes in solitude, resulting in a personality that is gregarious, outgoing, and sociable.
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 ).
Pathology. a turning inside out, as of the eyelids or of the bladder.

extroversion

/ ˌɛkstrəˈvɜːʃən /

noun

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

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Derived Forms

ˌextroˈversive, adjective
ˌextroˈversively, adverb

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Other Words From

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

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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 )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of extroversion¹

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

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