extension
gb/ɪkstˈɛnʃən/ us/ɪkstˈɛnʃən/
B1
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Extra time given
Extra time that is given after the first time limit is over.
Usage pattern:
grant [someone] an extension
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'extension' with 'expansion' — 'extension' is about extra time or length, while 'expansion' is about becoming bigger or wider.
Synonyms
prolongation (More formal and less common than 'extension'.)
|
continuation (Focuses on something continuing rather than extra time being officially granted.)
Antonyms
termination (Refers to ending something, the opposite of allowing more time.)
Collocations
grant an extension
|apply for an extension
|deadline extension
|request an extension
Themes
business
|education
|daily life
|time
|work
Examples
- The professor gave me a one-week extension on my essay.
- We requested an extension for the project deadline.
- You can apply for an extension if you need more time to file your taxes.
Learner examples
- I got an extension for my homework.
- She asked for an extension to finish the job.
- We need an extension to complete the work.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Added length or part
Something that you add to make something longer or bigger.
Usage pattern:
an extension to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'extension' (adding length) with 'annex' (a separate building or section).
Synonyms
addition (General term for something added; not specific to length.)
Antonyms
shortening (The act of making something shorter, opposite of adding length.)
Collocations
hair extension
|building extension
|extension cord
Themes
construction
|technology
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They built a new extension to the kitchen.
- I bought a hair extension for the wedding.
- We used an extension cord to connect the lamp.
Learner examples
- The house has a new extension.
- I need an extension cord for my computer.
- She wore a hair extension.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
3
File type suffix
Letters at the end of a file name that tell you the kind of file it is.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'extension' with 'attachment' in computing; they are different concepts.
Synonyms
suffix (In computing, can mean the same as 'extension', but also used in linguistics.)
Collocations
file extension
|.jpg extension
|.docx extension
Themes
technology
|communication
Examples
- The file has a .pdf extension.
- Change the file extension to .txt before uploading.
- Some programs cannot open files with that extension.
Learner examples
- This file has a .jpg extension.
- What is the extension of this file?
- I changed the file extension to .docx.
Noun
B1
entity
4
Internal phone line
An extra phone line in the same building as the main phone line.
Synonyms
branch line (More technical and less common term for internal phone line.)
Collocations
call an extension
|dial an extension number
Themes
communication
|work
Examples
- Please dial extension 302 for customer service.
- He works in HR; his extension is 215.
- I was transferred to another extension.
Learner examples
- Please call me at extension 105.
- Her office has its own extension.
- You can reach him on extension 302.
Grammar
Dictionary form
extension
IPA
GB/ɪkstˈɛnʃən/
US/ɪkstˈɛnʃən/
Syllables & stress
ex - ten - sion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ten)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: extension
- Plural: extension, extensions
Word family
Forms
extensions
noun
Core family
Related words
extent
noun B1
extendable
adjective
Advanced or less common
extensible
adjective
extensibility
noun
Expressions
get an extension
1/ɡˈɛt ən ɪkstˈɛnʃən/
fixed phrase
Receive more time allowed
To be given more time to do something after the original deadline.
Examples
- I managed to get an extension on my rent payment.
- She got an extension for her visa application.
hair extensions
1/hˈɛɹ ɪkstˈɛnʃənz/
fixed phrase
Added hair pieces for length/volume
Pieces of hair that are added to your own hair to make it longer or thicker.
Examples
- She wore hair extensions for her wedding day.
- Hair extensions can be made from real or synthetic hair.
extension cord
1/ɪkstˈɛnʃən kˈɔɹd/
fixed phrase
Electrical cable extender
A long wire with plugs that lets you bring electricity to a place farther away.
Examples
- We used an extension cord to plug in the lights outside.
- We used an extension cord to hang lights in the garden.
- The vacuum cleaner couldn't reach without an extension cord.
- The fan wouldn’t reach the bed, so she plugged it into an extension cord.
- Make sure the extension cord is rated for outdoor use.