Definition
someone who is very confident, lively, and likes social situations
Origin and usage
The word extrovert comes from the German word ‘Extravert’, with the prefix ‘extra’ meaning ‘outside’, and the Latin root ‘vertere’ which means ‘to turn’. It started to be commonly used in English in the early 20th century, around 1916, following its use by psychoanalyst Carl Jung.
Examples
Extrovert is a noun that refers to a person who gains energy from other people. This type of individual often enjoys being social, makes friends easily and likes meeting new people. Extroverts are usually talkative, self-confident, entertaining and outgoing.
Psychologists have identified several key traits that most extroverts possess. These include:
• Many and varied interests
• Likes to talk
• Enjoys being the centre of attention
• Acts before thinking
• High energy
• Likes working with a group toward a common goal
• Feels isolated when spending time alone
• Looks to outside sources — people and circumstances — for inspiration or ideas
If you possess more than a handful of these qualities, you are likely an extrovert. You’re in excellent company!
Many, many people are classified as extroverts. These individuals tend to enjoy certain advantages in life, like having an active social life and many friends, doing well at work and experiencing faster career growth. Extroverts are excellent communicators and are able to express their feelings accurately and easily, keep themselves healthy, aren’t easily bored and are fun to be around.
Quotations
“When I was growing up, I wasn’t an extrovert. If anything, I was an introverted kid and a very average pupil at school. I was very quiet.”
(Clint Eastwood)
“There is no such thing as a pure introvert or extrovert. Such a person would be in the lunatic asylum.”
(Carl Jung)
View the full definition in the Macmillan Dictionary.
