electrify

[ih-lek-truh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

electrified, electrifying 

1. to charge with or subject to electricity; apply electricity to.

2. to supply (a region, community, etc.) with electric power.

   The valley wasn't electrified until 1936.

3. to equip for the use of electric power, as a railroad.

4. to excite greatly; thrill.

   to electrify an audience.

   Synonyms: dazzle, rouse, stir

electrify

/ ɪˈlɛktrɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to adapt or equip (a system, device, etc) for operation by electrical power

2. to charge with or subject to electricity

3. to startle or excite intensely; shock or thrill

Other Word Forms

• electrification noun
• electrifier noun
• nonelectrification noun
• nonelectrified adjective
• proelectrification adjective
• reelectrification noun
• reelectrify verb (used with object)
• unelectrified adjective
• unelectrifying adjective
• electrifiable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of electrify¹

First recorded in 1735–45; electr- + -ify

Example Sentences

Captain Ben Stokes took five wickets as England's fast bowlers sensationally tore into Australia on an electrifying opening day of the Ashes.

Read more on BBC

Captain Ben Stokes took five wickets as England's fast bowlers sensationally tore into Australia on an electrifying opening day of the Ashes.

Read more on BBC

She called for the Dodgers to support expanding the program and electrifying the buses.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The event, Mr. Hoyos observes, “must have been electrifying even to well-informed senators.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

FedEx said its order for Harbinger vehicles is part of the company’s plan to fully electrify its pickup and delivery fleet by 2040.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• amaze 
• animate 
• astonish 
• astound 
• disturb 
• energize 
• excite 
• galvanize 
• invigorate 
• jolt 
• rouse 
• startle 
• stir 
• stun