hyperactive
Americanadjective
-
unusually or abnormally active.
a company's hyperactive growth; the child's hyperactive imagination.
-
(of children) displaying exaggerated physical activity sometimes associated with neurologic or psychologic causes.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of hyperactive
Explanation
Anything hyperactive is doing more than it should — a hyperactive child bounces off the walls, and a hyperactive gland secretes too much and makes you feel bad. It's good to be active, but add hyper and it’s not so good anymore. Hyper comes from a Greek word for “too much.” If someone is hyperactive, she might have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). People who suffer from it are hyperactive and can’t concentrate. You could say they’re hyper, which is short for hyperactive, but that’s not very polite. Hyperactive glands produce too many hormones and throw the body out of whack. Hyperactive things need to settle down.
Vocabulary lists containing hyperactive
Just Do It: Act
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Selections Vocabulary 1, Unit 3
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Selection Vocabulary 3, Unit 2
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A hyperactive psychopath, Skarsgård’s Little John is one of the movie’s rare treats.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026
If the number of hurricanes forecast is higher than average these are referred to as active or hyperactive seasons - while other years bring fewer storms, and are known as less active seasons.
From BBC ● May 21, 2026
When the label was unsure what to do with the hyperactive adolescent then known as “Little Stevie Wonder.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 19, 2026
Symptoms can vary widely, with some individuals primarily experiencing inattentiveness, while others show more hyperactive or impulsive behavior, or a combination of both.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 17, 2026
“She has a hyperactive mouth,” my mother said.
From "Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key" by Jack Gantos
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
