hyper

[ hahy-per ]

/ ˈhaɪ pər /

Informal.

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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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QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

true

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Origin of hyper

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

Words nearby hyper

hype, hypebeast, hyped-up, hype man, hype person, hyper, hyperaccumulator, hyperacidity, hyperactive, hyperactivity, hyperacusis

Other definitions for hyper (2 of 3)

hyper²

[ 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

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

Other definitions 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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH hyper-

hyper- , hypo-

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use hyper in a sentence

Topicals is touted to incorporate high-quality ingredients with clinically-tested formulas that tackle skin conditions like eczema, hyper-pigmentation, psoriasis, and more.
The Gen Z founders of a boutique skincare brand tackling chronic skin conditions and stigma|Rachel King|September 13, 2020|Fortune
We are living in a hyper-toxic time and no one, Brockovich says, is looking at the big picture of water pollution.
Erin Brockovich Is at It Again|Heather Hansman|August 27, 2020|Outside Online
Quantum computing has the potential to handle complex problems at hyper-fast speeds.
Cosmic rays could pose a problem for future quantum computers|Neel Patel|August 26, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Jabbing the ST25 point only worked to reduce inflammation before the mice got the hyper-inflammatory shot.
We Need New, Safer Ways to Treat Pain. Could Electroacupuncture Be One?|Shelly Fan|August 18, 2020|Singularity Hub

In short, the keywords you use to explain different intent can matter but it is not about hyper-focusing on the exact words you use to get the message across.
Why machine learning and understanding searcher intent is so important to search|Barry Schwartz|August 18, 2020|Search Engine Land
Boys are taught early in life to devalue care, to be hyper-competitive, super-achieving men.
How Good Dads Can Change the World|Gary Barker, PhD, Michael Kaufman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
She was born into a patriarchy and an industry that hyper-sexualizes women all the time.
Revenge of the Rock Nerds: TV on the Radio’s Long Road to ‘Seeds’|Marlow Stern|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But the reality is that in our 24-7 hyper-connected world, powering down often requires powering up.
Parks and Regeneration|The Daily Beast|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Jane was raised in a matriarchal family by her hyper-religious grandma and young, aspiring singer single mother.
‘Jane the Virgin’ Is The CW’s Best Show Ever|Amy Zimmerman|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But this patient was a doctor who had been treating people with Ebola in a facility awash with hyper-infective fluids.
From Ebola Country to NYC’s Subways|Michael Daly|October 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This delight was at one time somewhat disturbed by his hyper-sensitiveness.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky
The two highest of these keys—the Hyper-lydian and the Hyper-aeolian—appear to have been added in the time of the Empire.
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music|David Binning Monro
This report—exploited in five-column head-lines by a hyper-hysterical paper of that period received wide attention.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete|Albert Bigelow Paine
I trust that if we can ensure an atmosphere hyper-oxygenated to a certain point, we may be able to retain our senses.
The Poison Belt|Arthur Conan Doyle
He had fought a short but furious ship-action, battering the invader until he was glad to hyper out.
Space Viking|Henry Beam Piper

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

Medical definitions for hyper

hyper-

pref.

Over; above; beyond:hyperflexion.

Excessive; excessively:hyperhydration.

Scientific definitions for hyper

hyper-

A prefix that means excessive or excessively, especially in medical terms like hypertension and hyperthyroidism.

hyper

Origin of hyper

Words nearby hyper

Other definitions for hyper (2 of 3)

Origin of hyper

Other definitions for hyper (3 of 3)

Origin of hyper-

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH hyper-

Words related to hyper

How to use hyper in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for hyper (1 of 2)

Word Origin for hyper

British Dictionary definitions for hyper (2 of 2)

Word Origin for hyper-

Medical definitions for hyper

Scientific definitions for hyper