endangered
en-DAYN-jerd
/ɪnˈdeɪn.dʒərd/
Seriously at risk of extinction in the wild.
Denotes a specific high-risk category on international Red Lists, far more severe than 'vulnerable' but less dire than 'extinct in the wild'.
The story behind the word. Combines the prefix en- (to put into) with danger, which stems from Vulgar Latin dominium (lordship or control). To be 'in danger' originally meant to be under the absolute, ruthless control of a hostile lord. An endangered species is similarly helpless against overwhelming external threats.
Word relationships
- threatened: An umbrella term that covers vulnerable, endangered, and critically endangered categories.
- thriving: Flourishing in large numbers with a stable or growing population.
Commonly confused with
- vulnerable: Vulnerable species face risk of endangerment in the near future, whereas endangered species face an immediate threat of extinction.
Word family
- endanger (verb): To put someone or something at risk.
- endangerment (noun): The state of being placed in danger.
Collocations
- endangered species
- critically endangered
- endangered status
- endangered habitat
Example sentences
- "The mountain gorilla remains an endangered species due to poaching and habitat fragmentation." Wildlife conservation broadcast
- "The black rhinoceros is officially designated as critically endangered across its remaining natural habitat." International Red List status
Memory hook
EN-DANGER-ED = placed IN DANGER of vanishing forever. In danger of extinction.
When not to use
Do not use to describe a species that is merely rare if it faces no active threat of dying out.
Fun facts
- The IUCN officially places 'Endangered' between 'Vulnerable' and 'Critically Endangered' on its severity scale.
Related words
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