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Synonyms

hyper

1 American  
[hahy-per] / ˈhaɪ pər /

adjective

  1. overexcited; overstimulated; keyed up.

  2. seriously or obsessively concerned; fanatical; rabid.

    She's hyper about noise pollution.

  3. hyperactive.

noun

  1. a person who is hyper.

hyper 2 American  
[hahy-per] / ˈhaɪ pər /

noun

Informal.

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

hyper- 3 American  

  1. 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 ).

hyper 1 British  
/ ˈhaɪpə /

adjective

  1. informal  overactive; overexcited

"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
hyper- 2 British  

prefix

  1. above, over, or in excess

    hypercritical

  2. (in medicine) denoting an abnormal excess

    hyperacidity

  3. indicating that a chemical compound contains a greater than usual amount of an element

    hyperoxide
"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
hyper– Scientific  

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

Etymology

Origin of hyper1

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

Origin of hyper1

1910–15, for an earlier sense; hype 1 + -er 1

Origin of hyper-1

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

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.

Side effects are rare, but some children get a little more hyper or have more repetitive behaviors.

From The Wall Street Journal

"There is a buoyant car culture in London - a street culture, a classic culture, a super car, hyper car culture, it's all there... I just think the concept of the automotive is considered dirty."

From BBC

"He isn't hyper and too excitable or in your face, but he's one of those guys who oozes confidence without trying," Coldwell said.

From BBC

Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme, Mc McGrath said his son's mood could change greatly from "hyper" to "very emotional".

From BBC

Mr Boelter was wearing a "hyper realistic silicon mask" when he rang the doorbell and shouted "this is the police, open the door".

From BBC

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.