hyper
adjective
overexcited; overstimulated; keyed up.
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hyper
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hyper-
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 ).
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hyper–
hyper–A prefix that means “excessive” or “excessively,” especially in medical terms like hypertension and hyperthyroidism.
hyper
1 American
[hahy-per]
/ ˈhaɪ pər /
adjective
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overexcited; overstimulated; keyed up.
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seriously or obsessively concerned; fanatical; rabid.
She's hyper about noise pollution.
noun
hyper
2
American
[hahy-per]
/ ˈhaɪ pər /
noun
Informal.
hyper-
3
American
hyper-
1
British
prefix
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above, over, or in excess
hypercritical
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(in medicine) denoting an abnormal excess
hyperacidity
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indicating that a chemical compound contains a greater than usual amount of an element
hyperoxide
hyper
2
British
/ ˈhaɪpə /
adjective
hyper–
Scientific
Etymology
Origin of hyper1
First recorded in 1970–75; probably independent use of hyper-
Origin of hyper2
1910–15, for an earlier sense; hype 1 + -er 1
Origin of hyper-3
Greek, representing hypér over, above; cognate with Latin super ( see super-); akin to over
Explanation
Someone who's hyper is overly excited or energetic. If coffee and tea make you feel a little hyper, you might try switching to decaf! Hyper is a shortened form of hyperactive, a behavior that includes restlessness and sometimes inappropriate amounts of movement. It's part of an official diagnosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. But hyper also describes any excessive activity or feeling or excitability: "I want one of these sleepy kittens, not those hyper ones climbing the curtains." The Greek root of hyper means "too much," and when someone is hyper, they really are too much!
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.
See Examples For:
“Right now, I’m still in hyper growth mode, even though I’m retired.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026
In total darkness and my senses hyper alert, any conversation we had bounced off the walls of what felt like a never-ending tunnel.
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026
"When we inactivate these neurons, the mice become hyper distractable," Kothari said.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 24, 2026
“Everyone’s hyper focused on the number of units,” Allman said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026
And when I get close enough, his hyper butt jumps up my legs, nearly taking me down.
From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas
After abandoning the Americana of their first few albums for something more personal, Rose has explored the many facets of pop, whether indie-, hyper- or otherwise.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 12, 2023
Almost all prokaryotes have a cell wall, a protective structure that allows them to survive in both hyper- and hypo-osmotic conditions.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
Funny, nobody sought to ban swimmer Michael Phelps for his naturally occurring hyper- and double-extended joints, longer-than-average torso and wingspan, or powerful lung capacity.
From New York Times ● Jul. 23, 2021
"This is not the stuff of hyper- or even double-digit inflation, but it is draining and seemingly one thing after another," he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2014
Of course both in hypo- and in hyper- the vowel is short in Greek, so that here at least the strange lengthening cannot be ascribed to the Grecians.
From Society for Pure English Tract 4 The Pronunciation of English Words Derived from the Latin by John Sargeaunt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
