energy

[en-er-jee]

noun

plural

energies 

1. the capacity for vigorous activity; available power.

   I eat chocolate to get quick energy.

   Synonyms: potency, force, vigor

2. an adequate or abundant amount of such power.

   I seem to have no energy these days.

3. Often energies. a feeling of tension caused or seeming to be caused by an excess of such power.

   to work off one's energies at tennis.

4. an exertion of such power.

   She plays tennis with great energy.

5. the habit of vigorous activity; vigor as a characteristic.

   Foreigners both admire and laugh at American energy.

   Synonyms: push, zeal

6. the ability to act, lead others, effect, etc., forcefully.

7. forcefulness of expression.

   a writing style abounding with energy.

8. Physics.,  the capacity to do work; the property of a system that diminishes when the system does work on any other system, by an amount equal to the work so done; potential energy. E

9. any source of usable power, as fossil fuel, electricity, or solar radiation.

energy

/ ˈɛnədʒɪ /

noun

1. intensity or vitality of action or expression; forcefulness

2. capacity or tendency for intense activity; vigour

3. vigorous or intense action; exertion

4. physics

   1. the capacity of a body or system to do work

   2. E. a measure of this capacity, expressed as the work that it does in changing to some specified reference state. It is measured in joules (SI units)

5. a source of power See also kinetic energy potential energy

energy

1. The capacity or power to do work, such as the capacity to move an object (of a given mass) by the application of force. Energy can exist in a variety of forms, such as electrical, mechanical, chemical, thermal, or nuclear, and can be transformed from one form to another. It is measured by the amount of work done, usually in joules or watts.

2. See also conservation of energy kinetic energy potential energy Compare power work

Other Word Forms

• hyperenergy noun
• self-energy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of energy¹

First recorded in 1575–85; from Late Latin energīa, from Greek enérgeia “activity,” equivalent to energe- (stem of energeîn “to be active”; en- ², work ) + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of energy¹

C16: from Late Latin energīa, from Greek energeia activity, from energos effective, from _en- ² + ergon work

Example Sentences

There were eight selections from the record, performed at the same level of energy and excellence as the older material that opened and then closed the show.

From Salon

"They need heat and energy to fly so what we are seeing at the moment is them taking advantage of the good weather to find the right place to hunker down for winter."

From BBC

In the words of the committee, "the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit".

From BBC

That is what cinema is all about, an indefinable presence, faces full of expression, voices that cannot be easily replicated, eyes that channel energy that can move and frighten and surprise us.

From Los Angeles Times

That a win both for the climate and consumers, who benefit when we make energy more efficiently.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• efficiency 
• intensity 
• power 
• spirit 
• stamina 
• strength 
• toughness 
• vitality 

When To Use

What is energy?

Energy refers to available power or motivation to move, as in Jada found that getting enough sleep each night gave her the energy to live each day.Energy also refers to power that is used with exertion or force, as in Monique brought energy to the team, leading them to win more games.In physics, energy is the power or heat that is created when something moves, is burned, or is exerted. It is typically represented in two forms: potential and kinetic energy. Potential energy is power that is stored in something as it sits still or is unburned. For example, coal contains a large amount of potential energy that is released when the coal is burned. As the coal burns, that potential energy becomes kinetic energy, energy related to the particles in the system.Energy is a common word with several other senses related to power or motivation.Example: Darryl found out the hard way that cell phone batteries lose their energy in the cold.