electric

[ih-lek-trik]

adjective

1. pertaining to, derived from, produced by, or involving electricity.

   an electric shock.

2. producing, transmitting, or operated by electric currents.

   an electric bell;

   electric cord.

3. electrifying; thrilling; exciting; stirring.

   The atmosphere was electric with excitement.

   Synonyms: dynamic, rousing, spirited
   Antonyms: prosaic, uninspired, dull

4. (of a musical instrument)

   1. producing sound by electrical or electronic means.

      an electric piano.

   2. equipped with connections to an amplifier-loudspeaker system.

      an electric violin.

noun

1. Railroads.

   1. an electric locomotive.

   2. Informal.,  a railroad operated by electricity.

2. electricity.

   residential users of gas and electric.

3. something, as an appliance, vehicle, or toy, operated by electricity.

4. Archaic.,  a substance that is a nonconductor of electricity, as glass or amber, used to store or to excite an electric charge.

electric

/ ɪˈlɛktrɪk /

adjective

1. of, derived from, produced by, producing, transmitting, or powered by electricity

   electric current

   an electric cord

   an electric blanket

   an electric fence

   an electric fire

2. (of a musical instrument) amplified electronically

   an electric guitar

   an electric mandolin

3. very tense or exciting; emotionally charged

   an electric atmosphere

noun

1. informal,  an electric train, car, etc

2. informal,  electricity or electrical power

3. (plural) an electric circuit or electric appliances

electric

1. Relating to or operated by electricity.

2. Compare electronic

Other Word Forms

• nonelectric adjective
• preelectric adjective
• unelectric adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of electric¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from New Latin electricus, from Latin ēlectr(um) “amber” ( electrum ) + -icus -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of electric¹

C17: from New Latin electricus amber-like (because friction causes amber to become charged), from Latin ēlectrum amber, from Greek ēlektron, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

These minerals are indispensable for everything from electric vehicles to defense technologies.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He got stuck in a DRS train with a bunch of other cars but was able to use his electric start to salvage a point after the worst qualifying session of his career.

Read more on BBC

Nor could its electric offense climb back in time.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

New AutoMotive, a non-profit organisation supporting the UK's transition to electric vehicles, found in a recent study that the scheme had yet to expand the market for EVs.

Read more on BBC

Many countries are intensifying efforts to secure access to these minerals, which are abundant in African and essential to the transition to green energy, used in electronics from phones to solar panels and electric cars.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• magnetic