electric

[ih-lek-trik]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR electric ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

pertaining to, derived from, produced by, or involving electricity: an electric shock.

producing, transmitting, or operated by electric currents: an electric bell; electric cord.

electrifying; thrilling; exciting; stirring: The atmosphere was electric with excitement.

(of a musical instrument)

producing sound by electrical or electronic means: an electric piano.
equipped with connections to an amplifier-loudspeaker system: an electric violin.

noun

Railroads.

an electric locomotive.
Informal.a railroad operated by electricity.

electricity: residential users of gas and electric.

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

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

Origin of electric

1640–50; < New Latin electricus, equivalent to Latin ēlectr(um) amber (see electrum) + -icus -ic

Related formsnon·e·lec·tric, adjective, nounpre·e·lec·tric, adjectiveun·e·lec·tric, adjective

Synonyms for electric

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR electric ON THESAURUS.COM

3. spirited, rousing, dynamic.

Antonyms for electric

3. dull, uninspired, prosaic.

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

Related Words for electric

magnetic, electrical, rousing, dynamic, tense, stirring, AC, DC, voltaic, charged, exciting, stimulating, thrilling, electrifying, juiced

Examples from the Web for electric

Contemporary Examples of electric

In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Make ‘The Chew’s’ Carla Hall’s Sticky Toffee Pudding
Carla Hall
December 28, 2014
Electric Swamp Blues How can you possibly find authentic swamp blues in Portland, Oregon?
The Best Albums of 2014
Ted Gioia
December 13, 2014
I was once rewarded for some help with a visit to it, and sat in the electric chair for a moment.
A Million Ways to Die in Prison
Daniel Genis
December 8, 2014
The problem starts in that instant of electric mistrust when the cop reaches for his gun, or employs a homicidal chokehold.
The Only Way to End Police Violence
Michael Tomasky
December 5, 2014
They pioneered arena performances and electric light, enabling the first night performances.
We’re All Carnies Now: Why We Can’t Quit the Circus
Anthony Paletta
November 27, 2014

Historical Examples of electric

He heard the hum and clang of an electric car off through a chestnut grove.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
Behind him, like an electric force pushing him on, the outlaws watched his steps.
Way of the Lawless
Max Brand
Reassured, he drew out an electric torch and set it glowing.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
Among my other activities, I wired the parlor for electric light.
K
Mary Roberts Rinehart
A red mist spread between him and the line of electric lights.
K
Mary Roberts Rinehart

British Dictionary definitions for electric

electric

adjective

of, derived from, produced by, producing, transmitting, or powered by electricityelectric current; an electric cord; an electric blanket; an electric fence; an electric fire

(of a musical instrument) amplified electronicallyan electric guitar; an electric mandolin

very tense or exciting; emotionally chargedan electric atmosphere

noun

informal an electric train, car, etc

British informal electricity or electrical power

(plural) an electric circuit or electric appliances

Word Origin for electric

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

xref

See electronic

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 electric

adj.

1640s, first used in English by physician Sir Thomas Browne (1605-1682), apparently coined as Modern Latin electricus (literally "resembling amber") by English physicist William Gilbert (1540-1603) in treatise "De Magnete" (1600), from Latin electrum "amber," from Greek elektron "amber" (Homer, Hesiod, Herodotus), also "pale gold" (a compound of 1 part silver to 4 of gold); of unknown origin.

Originally the word described substances which, like amber, attract other substances when rubbed. Meaning "charged with electricity" is from 1670s; the physical force so called because it first was generated by rubbing amber. In many modern instances, the word is short for electrical. Figurative sense is attested by 1793. Electric toothbrush first recorded 1936; electric typewriter 1958.

electric in Science

electric

[ĭ-lĕk′trĭk]

Relating to or operated by electricity. Compare electronic.