extant

/ɛkˈstænt/

/ˈɛkstənt/

/ɛkˈstænt/

Use the adjective extant to describe old things that are still around, like your extant diary from third grade or the only extant piece of pottery from certain craftspeople who lived hundreds of years ago.

Extant is the opposite of extinct: it refers to things that are here — they haven't disappeared or been destroyed. Use extant to describe things that it may be surprising to learn are still around — you wouldn't say jeans you bought last year are extant, but a pair of jeans worn by Marilyn Monroe back in the 1950s? Definitely extant.

Definitions of extant

1. adjective

   still in existence; not extinct or destroyed or lost
   “extant manuscripts”

   synonyms:

   existent, existing

   having existence or being or actuality

   living

   still in active use

   living, surviving

   still in existence

   antonyms:

   extinct

   no longer in existence; lost or especially having died out leaving no living representatives

   nonexistent

   not having existence or being or actuality

   dead

   not surviving in active use