high-octane
Americanadjective
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noting a gasoline with a relatively high octane number, characterized by high efficiency and freedom from knock.
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Informal. forceful or intense; dynamic; high-powered.
high-octane efforts to obliterate the competition.
adjective
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(of petrol) having a high octane number
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informal dynamic, forceful, or intense
high-octane drive and efficiency
Etymology
Origin of high-octane
First recorded in 1930–35
Explanation
Use the adjective high-octane for fuel that's resistant to abnormal combustion in an engine. You can also use it to describe anything particularly intense or high-energy, like your dad's high-octane coffee that wakes him up in the morning. Different kinds of gasoline have different octane ratings. The higher the number, the better the fuel withstands being compressed inside an engine without auto-igniting prematurely and causing a damaging metallic "knocking." High-octane fuel isn't inherently cleaner or more powerful — but it is required for certain high-performance cars to run smoothly. Figuratively, high-octane has come to mean "high-energy" or "thrilling." A high-octane football game is exciting to watch, and a high-octane movie will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Starring Cena, Jessica Biel, Arturo Castro, Sam Richardson and Teyonah Parris, the movie directed by Sam Hargrave melds high-octane scenes with more humorous moments.
From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026
All action, high-octane performances, adored by his fans yet prickly under pressure.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
Building on the creative strides of “Hackney Diamonds,” their 24th studio effort, “Foreign Tongues” oozes with soulful R&B and high-octane rock.
From Salon ● Jul. 13, 2026
Perhaps you might want to time-travel to Eve Babitz’s glamorous and gritty Los Angeles, or bite into a high-octane thriller.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2026
Craig had already assessed Barack’s character in the most thorough and revealing way he could—by including him in a high-octane weekend basketball game with a bunch of his buddies, most of them former college players.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
