definitions

hyper

1
[ hahy-per ]
/ ˈhaɪ pər /
Informal.
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR hyper ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

overexcited; overstimulated; keyed up.
seriously or obsessively concerned; fanatical; rabid: She's hyper about noise pollution.
hyperactive.

noun

a person who is hyper.

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RELATED WORDS

fascinating, bracing, lively, exhilarating, refreshing, uplifting, enjoyable, vigorous, provocative, cheerful, festive, frisky, buoyant, peppy, spirited, nimble, bright, entertaining, animated, stimulating

Nearby words

hypaspist, hypatia, hype, hyped up, hyped-up, hyper, hyper-, hyperaccumulator, hyperacidity, hyperaction, hyperactive

Origin of hyper

1
First recorded in 1970–75; probably independent use of hyper-

Definition for hyper (2 of 3)

hyper

2
[ hahy-per ]
/ ˈhaɪ pər /

noun Informal.

a person who promotes or publicizes events, people, etc., especially one who uses flamboyant or questionable methods; promoter; publicist.

Origin of hyper

2
1910–15, Americanism, for an earlier sense; hype1 + -er1

Definition for hyper (3 of 3)

hyper-

a prefix appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it meant “over,” usually implying excess or exaggeration (hyperbole); on this model used, especially as opposed to hypo-, in the formation of compound words (hyperthyroid).
Compare super-.

Origin of hyper-

Greek, representing hypér over, above; cognate with Latin super (see super-); akin to over

Can be confused

hyper- hypo-
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for hyper

British Dictionary definitions for hyper (1 of 2)

hyper

/ (ˈhaɪpə) /

adjective

informal overactive; overexcited

Word Origin for hyper

C20: probably independent use of hyper-

British Dictionary definitions for hyper (2 of 2)

hyper-

prefix

above, over, or in excesshypercritical
(in medicine) denoting an abnormal excesshyperacidity
indicating that a chemical compound contains a greater than usual amount of an elementhyperoxide

Word Origin for hyper-

from Greek huper over
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

Medicine definitions for hyper

hyper-

pref.

Over; above; beyond:hyperflexion.
Excessive; excessively:hyperhydration.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for hyper

hyper-

A prefix that means “excessive” or “excessively,” especially in medical terms like hypertension and hyperthyroidism.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.