Extriction vs Extraction Quiz: Test Yourself
Tap a card to flip it.
The extriction vs extraction mix-up happens because the middle of the word is easy to mishear, and a similar real word, extrication, adds to the confusion. Only one of these spellings is a standard word for taking something out. This guide shows what extraction means, why extriction is wrong and how to spell it correctly.
| Term | Meaning | Part of speech / Category | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extraction | The act of pulling or taking something out; also origin or descent | Noun (standard) | The extraction of oil began last year. |
| Extriction | Not a standard word; a misspelling of extraction | Nonstandard | Write “extraction” instead. |
| Extrication | Freeing someone or something from a trapped or difficult situation | Noun (standard) | The extrication of the driver took an hour. |
| Extract | To pull out or draw out; also a concentrated substance | Verb and noun (root word) | She extracted the splinter. |
What does extraction mean?
Extraction is the act of pulling, drawing or taking something out. It is built from the verb extract, so its meaning is easy to follow.
It appears in many fields: a dental extraction removes a tooth, mineral extraction takes ores or oil from the ground, data extraction pulls information from a source, and vanilla extraction draws flavor from beans. The word can also describe family origin, as in “of Irish extraction.”
Is extriction a real word?
No. Extriction is not a standard English word, and it is almost always a misspelling of extraction. Spellcheck will usually underline it.
The error is common because the vowel in the middle is unstressed, so it is easy to type an I instead of an A. The fix is to go back to the verb: you extract something, so the noun is extraction.
What is extrication, and is it the same?
Extrication is a real word, but it means something different: freeing someone or something from a trap, entanglement or difficult situation. It is not a spelling variant of extraction.
You will often see it in rescue work, such as the extrication of a driver from a crashed car. It comes from the verb extricate. If you meant to describe rescuing or freeing, extrication is correct, and if you meant to describe pulling something out, extraction is correct.
How do you spell extraction correctly?
Spell it e-x-t-r-a-c-t-i-o-n, with an A after the R. The easiest check is to find the verb extract inside the noun and keep its A.
Many nouns follow the same pattern: attract becomes attraction, subtract becomes subtraction and distract becomes distraction. Each keeps the vowel from its verb.
How can you remember extriction vs extraction?
Remember that extraction comes from extract, and extract has an A. If your sentence is about taking something out, write extraction. If it is about freeing someone from a trap, write extrication.
Common mistakes with extriction vs extraction
- She needs a wisdom tooth extriction. → She needs a wisdom tooth extraction.
- The extriction of data took hours. → The extraction of data took hours.
- Oil extriction began in the region. → Oil extraction began in the region.
- The firefighters completed the extraction of the trapped driver from the crushed car’s tangled wiring. → The firefighters completed the extrication of the trapped driver.
- Extriction is the correct spelling. → Extraction is the correct spelling.
Memory tricks for extriction and extraction
- Keep the A from extract. Extract becomes extraction, not extriction.
- Follow the pattern. Attract, attraction. Subtract, subtraction. Extract, extraction.
- Pull out or set free. Pulling out is extraction. Setting free is extrication.
FAQ
Is it extriction or extraction?
The correct spelling is extraction. Extriction is a misspelling.
What does extraction mean?
Extraction means the act of pulling or taking something out, such as a tooth, a mineral or information.
What is the difference between extraction and extrication?
Extraction is taking something out, and extrication is freeing someone or something from a trapped or difficult situation.
What is the verb form of extraction?
The verb is extract, which means to pull or draw something out.
Can extraction mean family background?
Yes. Extraction can also mean origin or descent, as in “of Scottish extraction.”
Conclusion
The extriction vs extraction question has a simple answer: extraction is correct, and extriction is a misspelling. Keep the A from extract, and use extrication only when you mean freeing someone from a trap. Share this with someone who mixes these up.