ex·tent 
/ɪkˈstɛnt/ noun
/ɪkˈstɛnt/ noun [noncount] 1 : the range, distance, or space that is covered or affected by something or included in something
▪ She tried to determine the extent of the damage. ▪ the full extent of human knowledge ▪ They underestimated the extent [=size] of the problem. ▪ He questions the extent to which these remedies are needed. 2 : the point or limit to which something extends or reaches
▪ We reached the southernmost extent [=end] of the peninsula. ▪ He swore to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. [=as fully as the law allows] ▪ To what extent [=how far, how much] can they be trusted? 3 — used to indicate the degree to which something exists, happens, or is true ◊If you say that something is true to an extent, to some extent, or to a certain extent, you mean that it is partly but not completely true.
▪ To an extent, they're both right. ▪ Some critics claim that the government is at fault, and, to a certain extent, that's true. Something that is true to a large extent or to a great extent is mostly true. ▪ These traits are to a large extent inherited. [=these traits are mostly inherited] The phrases to the extent that, to that extent, and to a greater/lesser extent are often used to describe the effect or importance of something in relation to something else. ▪ To the extent that he encouraged their bad behavior, he's to blame for it. [=he's partly to blame for their bad behavior because he encouraged it] ▪ He encouraged their bad behavior, and to that extent he's to blame for it. ▪ He studied only to the extent that was required to pass the exam. [=he studied just enough to pass the exam] ▪ This new tax affects the middle class and, to a lesser extent, the rich. ▪ This new tax affects everyone to a greater or lesser extent. [=it affects some people more than it does other people] To the extent that or to such an extent that can also be used to say that something is true to a very extreme degree. ▪ He was fearful to the extent that he refused to leave his house. [=he was so fearful that he refused to leave his house] ▪ She has changed to such an extent that you wouldn't recognize her.
▪ She tried to determine the extent of the damage. ▪ the full extent of human knowledge ▪ They underestimated the extent [=size] of the problem. ▪ He questions the extent to which these remedies are needed.
▪ We reached the southernmost extent [=end] of the peninsula. ▪ He swore to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. [=as fully as the law allows] ▪ To what extent [=how far, how much] can they be trusted?
▪ To an extent, they're both right. ▪ Some critics claim that the government is at fault, and, to a certain extent, that's true. Something that is true to a large extent or to a great extent is mostly true. ▪ These traits are to a large extent inherited. [=these traits are mostly inherited] The phrases to the extent that, to that extent, and to a greater/lesser extent are often used to describe the effect or importance of something in relation to something else. ▪ To the extent that he encouraged their bad behavior, he's to blame for it. [=he's partly to blame for their bad behavior because he encouraged it] ▪ He encouraged their bad behavior, and to that extent he's to blame for it. ▪ He studied only to the extent that was required to pass the exam. [=he studied just enough to pass the exam] ▪ This new tax affects the middle class and, to a lesser extent, the rich. ▪ This new tax affects everyone to a greater or lesser extent. [=it affects some people more than it does other people] To the extent that or to such an extent that can also be used to say that something is true to a very extreme degree. ▪ He was fearful to the extent that he refused to leave his house. [=he was so fearful that he refused to leave his house] ▪ She has changed to such an extent that you wouldn't recognize her.
