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In the early 19th century, which field first used the English word dynamic?

dynamic

American  
[dahy-nam-ik] / daɪˈnæm ɪk /

adjective

  1. An image of the word dynamic as defined by pertaining to or characterized by energy or effective action; vigorously active or forceful; energetic.

    pertaining to or characterized by energy or effective action; vigorously active or forceful; energetic.

    the dynamic president of the firm.

  2. Physics.

    1. of or relating to force or power.

    2. of or relating to force related to motion.

  3. pertaining to the science of dynamics.

  4. of or relating to the range of volume of musical sound.

  5. Digital Technology. (of data storage, processing, or programming) affected by the passage of time or the presence or absence of power.

    Dynamic memory must be constantly refreshed to avoid losing data.

    Dynamic websites contain web pages that are generated in real time.

  6. Grammar. nonstative.


noun

  1. a basic or dynamic force, especially one that motivates, affects development or stability, etc.

dynamic British  
/ daɪˈnæmɪk /

adjective

  1. of or concerned with energy or forces that produce motion, as opposed to static

  2. of or concerned with dynamics

  3. Also: dynamical.  characterized by force of personality, ambition, energy, new ideas, etc

  4. music of, relating to, or indicating dynamics

    dynamic marks

  5. computing (of a memory) needing its contents refreshed periodically Compare static

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

dynamic Scientific  
/ dī-nămĭk /
  1. Relating to energy or to objects in motion.

  2. Compare static

  3. Relating to the study of dynamics.

  4. Characterized by continuous change or activity.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of dynamic

First recorded in 1810–20; from French dynamique, from Greek dynamikós, equivalent to dýnam(is) “force, power” + -ikos adjective suffix; see -ic

Explanation

If a person, place, or thing is energetic and active, then it's dynamic. When things are dynamic, there's a lot going on. Even the most exciting rural town won't be as dynamic as a big city: there are just more things happening in a city. Someone with a dynamic personality is probably funny, loud, and excitable; a quiet, mousy person isn't dynamic. You can also talk about the dynamic aspect of music, which has to do with how the music uses dynamics, which means "changes in volume." When things are dynamic, changes and energy are in the air.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing dynamic

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.

See Examples For:

The note added that this dynamic could hold if there was “capital discipline” among hyperscalers.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 19, 2026

Without the dynamic duo in charge, you could argue that Berkshire is just another very big company.

From MarketWatch Sep. 18, 2026

The cartoon turned the dynamic into an armed raid by cereal characters, but the basic instinct — watch a useful moral vocabulary become commercially useful — was already recognizable.

From Salon Sep. 18, 2026

"There's something special about college football - the pageantry, the traditions, the fandom. It's dynamic - there's a lot of energy and passion. It truly is an experience."

From BBC Sep. 18, 2026

His expressions changed, became more fluid and dynamic, more complex.

From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon

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