Updated: June 29, 2024

Extraterrestrial life (from the Latin words: extra ( "beyond", or "not of" ) and? terrestris ( "of or belonging to Earth" ) is defined as life that does not originate from Earth. Referred to as alien life, or simply aliens, these hypothetical forms of life range from simple bacteria like organisms to beings far more advanced than humans.

The development and testing of theories about extraterrestrial life is known as exobiology or astrobiology; the term astrobiology, however, includes the study of life on Earth, viewed in its astronomical context. Many prominent scientists consider extraterrestrial life to be plausible, but no direct evidence has yet been found.