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Glite Dictionary
filename extension

filename extension

3.5
Letters and symbols added after a file name, usually starting with a dot, to show the file type
  • noun
  • /ˈfaɪlˌneɪm ɪkˈstɛnʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : extensión de nombre de archivo
  • You should check the filename extension to ensure it matches the file type you expect.

Examples

  • (dot) XMP filename extension.

    Academic text (2009)

  • To open that document, make sure it has a .docx filename extension.

  • Files with a .jpg filename extension are usually image files.

Synonyms

extension
vsfilename extension
  • Jargon
78 4.0

A phone or number connected to the main office line

is narrower meaning specifically the characters showing a file type
ext
vsfilename extension
8 5.4

A short label showing an extra phone number or the ending of a file name

is the full technical set of characters indicating file format
file name extension
vsfilename extension
  • Specialized
3.5

A few letters or numbers after a file name that show the file type

is the same meaning but written as one compound word

Surface Forms

filename extension singular
filename extensions plural

Morphology

filename + extension

The meaning is directly derivable from combining 'filename' (the name/identifier of a file) with 'extension' (an add-on or ending): together they denote the ending added to a filename that indicates file type. This is a transparent noun+noun technical compound and follows common cross-linguistic/computing logic, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will understand it.

Etymology

Filename extension comes from the simple idea of adding extra letters to the end of a file's name to 'extend' it. The filename is the name you give a file and the extension is the short part after a dot, so it became a quick way to show a file's 'type' or 'format'.