extraterrestrial being
- noun
- /ˌɛkstrətəˈrɛstrɪəl ˈbiːɪŋ/
- This led us to believe that, like the genre-crossing Fastwalkers, many of our favorite soap opera characters are, in fact, extraterrestrial beings from other planets.
- believe in extraterrestrial beings
What if the extraterrestrials were going to attack us?
- What if the extraterrestrials were going to attack us?
- Who are these extraterrestrial beings judging us on our ability to ourselves?
Examples
-
It will align the planets and bring them into universal harmony, allowing meaningful contact with all forms of life, from extraterrestrial beings to common household pets.
-
I don't believe in extraterrestrial beings coming down from the sky to guide the human race to an age of reawakening.
-
What if the extraterrestrials were going to attack us?
-
A flying disc is clearly noticeable, and below it is an extraterrestrial being.
Blog text (32) -
When extraterrestrial beings make their first appearance on our planet and ask for representatives of our species to best exemplify humanity, I'm sending a nurse, a librarian, and a firefighter.
Blog text (14) -
Today, for example, the United Nations includes a Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, which counts among its crowning achievements the passage of a resolution calling upon sovereign nations to report all contacts with extraterrestrial beings directly to the Secretary-General.
Academic text (1996) -
Millions of people around the world believe we have been visited in the past by extraterrestrial beings.
-
A distinguished scientist takes a hard look at reports of extraterrestrial beings, UFOs, and alien abductions.
-
A flying disc is clearly noticeable, and below it is an extraterrestrial being.
Synonyms
A creature from another planet often in science fiction
A creature from another planet or outer space
A living thing that comes from space and may bring life to Earth
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is a straightforward combination of 'extraterrestrial' (originating beyond Earth) and 'being' (a living creature), yielding 'a life form from beyond Earth.' This is a literal, compositional phrase found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
The noun extraterrestrial being comes from two parts: extra meaning 'outside' and terrestrial meaning 'earth'. So it paints the picture of a creature from another planet, which is why it means 'a living creature from outside Earth'.