hectic

[hek-tik]

adjective

1. characterized by intense agitation, excitement, confused and rapid movement, etc..

   The week before the trip was hectic and exhausting.

   Synonyms: chaotic, wild, frenzied, frantic

hectic

/ ˈhɛktɪk /

adjective

1. characterized by extreme activity or excitement

2. associated with, peculiar to, or symptomatic of tuberculosis (esp in the phrases hectic fever, hectic flush )

noun

1. a hectic fever or flush

2. rare,  a person who is consumptive or who experiences a hectic fever or flush

Other Word Forms

• hectically adverb
• hecticly adverb
• hecticness noun
• nonhectic adjective
• nonhectically adverb
• unhectic adjective
• unhectically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hectic¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin hecticus, from Greek hektikós “habitual, consumptive,” adjective derivative of héxis “possession, state, habit,” equivalent to hech- (base of échein “to have, hold, keep”) + -sis -sis; replacing Middle English etyk, from Middle French

Word History and Origins

Origin of hectic¹

C14: from Late Latin hecticus, from Greek hektikos habitual, from hexis state, from ekhein to have

Example Sentences

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell said he was "unbelievably proud" of the fight his players showed after receiving a flurry of cards in a hectic defeat by South Africa in Dublin.

Read more on BBC

I thought I’d do that when she came home for hospice, but those first few days home were hectic as we set everything up.

Read more on MarketWatch

The 2025 Formula 1 season is heading for a hectic climax with three races on successive weekends to decide the winner of the drivers' championship.

Read more on BBC

It was a frantic end to a hectic holiday season and the moment she realized something had to change.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

For others, there may come a time when you can no longer handle your portfolio due to age, cognitive decline or a hectic schedule.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• boisterous 
• chaotic 
• exciting 
• frenetic 
• frenzied 
• heated 
• tumultuous 
• unsettled