hyperactive
Americanadjective
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unusually or abnormally active.
a company's hyperactive growth; the child's hyperactive imagination.
-
(of children) displaying exaggerated physical activity sometimes associated with neurologic or psychologic causes.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of hyperactive
Explanation
Anything hyperactive is doing more than it should — a hyperactive child bounces off the walls, and a hyperactive gland secretes too much and makes you feel bad. It's good to be active, but add hyper and it’s not so good anymore. Hyper comes from a Greek word for “too much.” If someone is hyperactive, she might have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). People who suffer from it are hyperactive and can’t concentrate. You could say they’re hyper, which is short for hyperactive, but that’s not very polite. Hyperactive glands produce too many hormones and throw the body out of whack. Hyperactive things need to settle down.
Vocabulary lists containing hyperactive
Just Do It: Act
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Selections Vocabulary 1, Unit 3
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Selection Vocabulary 3, Unit 2
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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.
Hyperactive as a child, she was known as “Wriggle Bottom” at school and taken to a doctor who sat patiently while Ms. Lynne’s mother explained that young Gillie — noticeably squirming — couldn’t sit still.
From Washington Post • Jul. 3, 2018
Hyperactive, ambitious and never truly finished, The Life Of Pablo gave an unprecedented glimpse into Kanye West's creative process - not the psyche of the "38-year-old eight year old".
From BBC • Dec. 21, 2016
Hyperactive British jazz piano phenom Jamie Cullum handled the sunset from behind a snare drum.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2014
Hyperactive Foxygen vocalist Sam France climbs the lighting trellace on the side of the stage.
From Chicago Tribune • Jul. 22, 2013
Hyperactive yet strangely restrained, it's deft but rather insubstantial.
From The Guardian • Aug. 22, 2011
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.
