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high-octane

American  
[hahy-ok-teyn] / ˈhaɪˈɒk teɪn /

adjective

  1. noting a gasoline with a relatively high octane number, characterized by high efficiency and freedom from knock.

  2. Informal. forceful or intense; dynamic; high-powered.

    high-octane efforts to obliterate the competition.


high-octane British  

adjective

  1. (of petrol) having a high octane number

  2. informal dynamic, forceful, or intense

    high-octane drive and efficiency

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of high-octane

First recorded in 1930–35

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.

He needed shot makers, relentless workers, and athletes with the legs to survive his high-octane style.

From The Wall Street Journal

It was a compelling contest which went down to the wire, with two state schools playing high-octane rugby in front of a passionate crowd of over a thousand people.

From BBC

The result is a high-octane cat and mouse hunt like no other in modern movie history.

From Barron's

It wasn’t the career path Taylor envisioned, but it helped him hone a high-octane management style.

From The Wall Street Journal

Over the years, the franchise has see-sawed between focusing on terror and high-octane action, with mixed results.

From BBC