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.

Origin of dynamic

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

Related formsdy·nam·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·dy·nam·ic, adjectivenon·dy·nam·i·cal, adjectivenon·dy·nam·i·cal·ly, adverbun·dy·nam·ic, adjectiveun·dy·nam·i·cal·ly, adverb

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

Related Words for dynamic

productive, vigorous, energetic, effective, influential, forceful, powerful, potent, compelling, lively, progressive, aggressive, charismatic, electric, driving, go-getter, go-ahead, enterprising, forcible, intense

Examples from the Web for dynamic

Contemporary Examples of 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
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
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
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
I hope our participants see the dynamic ambiance of this unique city.
Women in the World Texas Sneak Peek
Cynthia Allum
October 20, 2014

Historical Examples of dynamic

It was an innocent remark, and he understood it as such, but its effect on him was dynamic.
Dust
Mr. and Mrs. Haldeman-Julius
They require the dynamic of a religious conviction in the hearts of men.
The Farmer and His Community
Dwight Sanderson
It is thorough because what is significant and dynamic in Hamlet is made focal.
College Teaching
Paul Klapper
But no dynamo ever invented has the power that is centered in the dynamic will of a human being.
Sex=The Unknown Quantity
Ali Nomad
The camp was alive, ahum, vibrant with fierce, dynamic energy.
The Trail of '98
Robert W. Service

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

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.

"energetic force; motive force," 1894, from dynamic (adj.).

dynamic in Science

dynamic

[dī-năm′ĭk]

Relating to energy or to objects in motion. Compare static.

Relating to the study of dynamics.

Characterized by continuous change or activity.