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Definition of excerpt

excerpt

/ˈɛk.sɝːpt/
ex · cerpt
Plural:excerpts
•
Past Simple:excerpted
•
Past Participle:excerpted
•
Present Participle:excerpting
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excerpt Lexical Profile

excerpt Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A short extract or selected passage taken from a film, broadcast, piece of music, or written work.

Example

"The professor read a brief excerpt from the novel to illustrate the author's narrative style."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• verb

1

To take or select a short extract from a text, film, or piece of music in order to quote or reproduce it.

Example

"The magazine excerpted two chapters from the historian's forthcoming biography."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for excerpt

• Nearby Words

exceptional
exceptionalism
exceptionally
excerpt
excess
excessive
excessively

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-17th century from Latin excerptum ('something plucked out'), the neuter past participle of excerpere, from ex- ('out') and carpere ('to pluck or gather').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Excerpt. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/excerpt
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