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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

  1. hypaspist,
  2. hypatia,
  3. hype,
  4. hyped up,
  5. hyped-up,
  6. hyper-,
  7. hyperaccumulator,
  8. hyperacidity,
  9. hyperaction,
  10. 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 confusedhyper- 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.