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• kinetic
  kinetic

  adjective

  pertaining to motion.
• -kinetic
  -kinetic

  a combining form found on adjectives that correspond to nouns ending in -kinesia or -kinesis:

kinetic

¹ American  

[ki-net-ik, kahy-] / kɪˈnɛt ɪk, kaɪ- /

adjective

1. pertaining to motion.

2. caused by motion.

3. characterized by movement.

   Running and dancing are kinetic activities.

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-kinetic ² American  

1. a combining form found on adjectives that correspond to nouns ending in -kinesia or -kinesis:

   bradykinetic.

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kinetic British  

/ kaɪ-, kɪˈnɛtɪk /

adjective

1. relating to, characterized by, or caused by motion

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Usage

What does -kinetic mean? The combining form -kinetic is used like a suffix meaning “of or relating to movement.” It is often used in medical terms, especially in pathology. The form -kinetic comes from Greek kīnēt(ós), meaning “moving,” from the verb kīneîn, “to move.” The Latin cognate of kīneîn is ciēre (stem cit-), meaning “to move, set in motion,” which is the source of words such as cite and resuscitate. To learn more, check out our entries for both words. What are variants of -kinetic?While there are not any variants of -kinetic, it is related to the forms -kinesis and -kinesia, as in telekinesis and hyperkinesia. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles about these two forms.

Other Word Forms

• nonkinetic
  adjective
• kinetically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of kinetic¹

1850–55; < Greek kīnētikós moving, equivalent to kīnē- (verbid stem of kīneîn to move) + -tikos -tic

Origin of -kinetic²

< Greek kīnēt ( ós ) ( see kineto-) + -ic

Compare meaning

How does kinetic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• kinetic vs. potential energy

Explanation

If you marvel at the kinetic pace of popular cartoons, you are amazed at how lively and energetic the shows are. Kinetic comes from a Greek verb meaning "to move." Used generally, kinetic can simply mean "animated," "dynamic," or "lively," but it also has more specific meanings in the realms of art and science. Kinetic drawings, sculptures, and installations have moving parts. Alexander Calder's mobiles are well-known examples of kinetic art. In physics, the phrase "kinetic energy" is used to describe the energy of motion. Any object in motion possesses kinetic energy, and this energy can be harnessed, transferred, and transformed to do work: Think of wind turning turbines to generate electricity.

Example Sentences

Hawk and Pína present a noticeably different picture of a relationship than most rom-coms offer — a kinetic, unpredictable spark that fuels the movie’s uncertainty and intrigues the audience tenfold.

From Salon • Jul. 5, 2026

Southern Command “delivered a swift and lethal kinetic strike to successfully execute Niño Guerrero,” Trump posted on social media, referring to the fugitive leader of Tren de Aragua, Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 13, 2026

The Amaterasu particle was reported at about 240 exa-electron volts, giving one tiny cosmic-ray particle roughly the kinetic energy of a fast-moving tennis ball.

From Science Daily • Jun. 9, 2026

That popular film starring Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning stands as one of the most solid showcases of Washington’s edgy, magnetic screen presence, and director Tony Scott’s flashy, kinetic intensity.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

His body is so naturally kinetic that even when he is silent and nearly still he can make an audience laugh with just a slight gesture or facial expression.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Related Words

• animated
• lively
• peppy