dynamic

[dahy-nam-ik]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dynamic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective Also dy·nam·i·cal.

pertaining to or characterized by energy or effective action; vigorously active or forceful; energetic: the dynamic president of the firm.

Physics.

of or relating to force or power.
of or relating to force related to motion.

pertaining to the science of dynamics.

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

Computers. (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.

Grammar. nonstative.

noun

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

Nearby words

Origin of dynamic

1810–20; < French dynamique < Greek dynamikós, equivalent to dýnam(is) force, power + -ikos -ic

Related forms

dy·nam·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·dy·nam·ic, adjectivenon·dy·nam·i·cal, adjectivenon·dy·nam·i·cal·ly, adverb

un·dy·nam·ic, adjectiveun·dy·nam·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for dynamic

The church apparently understands this dynamic, at least to a point.
God vs. the Internet. And the Winner is…|Michael Schulson|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I never got a definitive answer, but I think he was used to having a rhythm section that would not be that dynamic under him.
Herbie Hancock Holds Forth|David Yaffe|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At this point, probably the only thing that can really flip the dynamic of a particular race is a major gaffe.
Hooray for Liberal Fear-Mongering!|Michael Tomasky|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I think that dynamic, that gray area really makes that interesting.
The Good Wife’s Secret Weapon: Matt Czuchry on Cary Agos’s Terrible, Horrible Year|Kevin Fallon|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I hope our participants see the dynamic ambiance of this unique city.
Women in the World Texas Sneak Peek|Cynthia Allum|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For let us reiterate and reiterate: you cannot mingle and confuse the various modes of dynamic love.
Fantasia of the Unconscious|D. H. Lawrence
It has dynamic relations with the world common to the experience of all the readers.
The Meaning of Truth|William James
He is busied with dynamic sequences, but he persistently confines himself to static terms.
The Place of Science in Modern Civilisation and Other Essays|Thorstein Veblen
To these diversifying conditions may be added many others involving a large part of the field of dynamic geology.
The Andes of Southern Peru|Isaiah Bowman
The world-picture presented in this encyclopaedia is that of a dynamic universe, of phenomena in process of ceaseless change.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 5|Various

British Dictionary definitions for dynamic

dynamic

adjective

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

of or concerned with dynamics

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

music of, relating to, or indicating dynamicsdynamic marks

computing (of a memory) needing its contents refreshed periodicallyCompare static (def. 8)

Derived Formsdynamically, adverb

Word Origin for dynamic

C19: from French dynamique, from Greek dunamikos powerful, from dunamis power, from dunasthai to be able

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

Word Origin and History for dynamic

dynamic

adj.

1817 as a term in philosophy; 1827 in the sense "pertaining to force producing motion" (the opposite of static), from French dynamique introduced by German mathematician Gottfried Leibnitz (1646-1716) in 1691 from Greek dynamikos "powerful," from dynamis "power," from dynasthai "to be able, to have power, be strong enough," of unknown origin. The figurative sense of "active, potent, energetic" is from 1856 (in Emerson). Related: Dynamically.