electric

American  

[ih-lek-trik] / ɪˈlɛk trɪk /

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 British  

/ 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 Scientific  

/ ĭ-lĕk′trĭk /

1. Relating to or operated by electricity.

2. Compare electronic

---

Other Word Forms

• nonelectric
  adjective
• preelectric
  adjective
• unelectric
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of electric

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

Explanation

Things that are electric are either powered by electricity — like a battery-operated flashlight — or produce or transmit electricity — like an electric generator. The word electric, indicating something charged with electricity, was used long before electricity was fully understood or harnessed as a form of power in the nineteenth century. In the seventeenth century, for example, materials like wool that produced sparks of static electricity when rubbed were termed electric by scientists, and the figurative meaning of the word was also used. Figuratively, electric can describe something exciting or brightly colored, as in "electric atmosphere" or "electric green."

Example Sentences

The Cybertruck, Tesla’s would-be competitor in the EV pickup truck market, has long since secured its place as the Edsel of the electric vehicle age.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

Last year the company said it would kill its much-hyped electric F-150 pickup, which cost between $50,000 and about $77,000.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

The emergence of electric vehicles, hybrids and more fuel-efficient gasoline-powered vehicles is part of the reason, even as those fuel efficiencies are mostly reaped by the well-heeled Americans who can afford the newer cars.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

In 2025, ON Semiconductor’s automotive business made up 51% of its revenue and 28% was in its industrial segment—which includes energy storage and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

I enjoyed looking at the countryside, all colored for me by contrast with Haiti’s—the electric power wires, the irrigated fields.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Related Words

• magnetic