hyperactive

[ hahy-per-ak-tiv ]

adjective

1. unusually or abnormally active:

   a company's hyperactive growth; the child's hyperactive imagination.

2. (of children) displaying exaggerated physical activity sometimes associated with neurologic or psychologic causes.
3. hyperkinetic.

hyperactive

/ ˌhaɪpərˈæktɪv /

adjective

1. abnormally active

Derived Forms

• ˌhyperacˈtivity, noun
• ˌhyperˈaction, noun

Other Words From

• hy·per·ac·tion [hahy-per-, ak, -sh, uh, n], noun
• hyper·active·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hyperactive¹

First recorded in 1865–70; hyper- + active

Example Sentences

Reviewers note that the handle is comfortable and wide enough for larger hands and the wider strap is more durable than previous models for pullers or hyperactive pups.

From Popular-Science

All but 1966 were hyperactive seasons based on NOAA definition.

From Washington Post

The pass of innovation in the local search space seems way more hyperactive than anywhere else at this point in time.

From Search Engine Land

He pressed Zuckerberg repeatedly with yes or no questions on his handling of a proposal to reduce the spread of content by hyperactive users on the far ends of the political spectrum.

From Washington Post

The drug is relatively inexpensive and directly tamps down neutrophil activation, which may in turn reduce the formation of the hyperactive neutrophil traps in the vessels.

From Time

Following an all too predictable cycle of the hyperactive 21st century, focus on the explosion was ephemeral.

From The Daily Beast

Now, a new therapy might have these women filling up the same prescriptions as their hyperactive grandchildren.

From The Daily Beast

She suggested he was hyperactive and that he cannot sit still in class.

From The Daily Beast

He did get his 15 minutes, however, which is a long time in the non-stop, hyperactive world of 4chan.

From The Daily Beast

Ritalin drives dopamine up in hyperactive children, and their activity decreases.

From The Daily Beast

We must stimulate the apathetic and the sluggish; we must moderate the hyperactive; we must correct paresis, tics, etc.

From Project Gutenberg

In hyperactive children the arms must first be restrained by holding them tight in our hands.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• excitable
• high-strung