electric

[ ih-lek-trik ]

/ ɪˈlɛk trɪk /

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adjective

pertaining to, derived from, produced by, or involving electricity: an electric shock.

producing, transmitting, or operated by electric currents: an electric bell; electric cord.

electrifying; thrilling; exciting; stirring: The atmosphere was electric with excitement.

(of a musical instrument)

producing sound by electrical or electronic means: an electric piano.
equipped with connections to an amplifier-loudspeaker system: an electric violin.

noun

Railroads.

an electric locomotive.
Informal. a railroad operated by electricity.

electricity: residential users of gas and electric.

something, as an appliance, vehicle, or toy, operated by electricity.

Archaic. a substance that is a nonconductor of electricity, as glass or amber, used to store or to excite an electric charge.

OTHER WORDS FOR electric

3 spirited, rousing, dynamic.

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OPPOSITES FOR electric

3 dull, uninspired, prosaic.

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QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of electric

1640–50; <New Latin electricus, equivalent to Latin ēlectr(um) amber (see electrum) + -icus-ic

OTHER WORDS FROM electric

non·e·lec·tric, adjective, nounpre·e·lec·tric, adjectiveun·e·lec·tric, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use electric in a sentence

These three instances are all I have time to give of the former conditions of serene weather, and of non-electric rain-cloud.
The Storm-Cloud of the Nineteenth Century|John Ruskin
The fire in the bottle was found by subsequent experiments not to be contained in the non-electric, but in the glass.
The Complete Works in Philosophy, Politics and Morals of the late Dr. Benjamin Franklin, [Vol 1 of 3]|Benjamin Franklin
Query, Wherein consists the difference between an electric and a non-electric body?
The Complete Works in Philosophy, Politics and Morals of the late Dr. Benjamin Franklin, [Vol 1 of 3]|Benjamin Franklin
The ocean is a compound of water, a non-electric, and salt an electric per se.
The Complete Works in Philosophy, Politics and Morals of the late Dr. Benjamin Franklin, [Vol 1 of 3]|Benjamin Franklin

Put a wire into the tube, the inward end in contact with the non-electric lining, so it will represent the Leyden bottle.
The Complete Works in Philosophy, Politics and Morals of the late Dr. Benjamin Franklin, [Vol 1 of 3]|Benjamin Franklin

British Dictionary definitions for electric

electric

/ (ɪˈlɛktrɪk) /

adjective

of, derived from, produced by, producing, transmitting, or powered by electricityelectric current; an electric cord; an electric blanket; an electric fence; an electric fire

(of a musical instrument) amplified electronicallyan electric guitar; an electric mandolin

very tense or exciting; emotionally chargedan electric atmosphere

noun

informal an electric train, car, etc

British informal electricity or electrical power

(plural) an electric circuit or electric appliances

Word Origin for electric

C17: from New Latin electricus amber-like (because friction causes amber to become charged), from Latin ēlectrum amber, from Greek ēlektron, of obscure origin

undefined electric

See electronic

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

Scientific definitions for electric

electric

[ ĭ-lĕk′trĭk ]

Relating to or operated by electricity. Compare electronic.

electric

OTHER WORDS FOR electric

OPPOSITES FOR electric

Origin of electric

OTHER WORDS FROM electric

Words related to electric

How to use electric in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for electric

Word Origin for electric

undefined electric

Scientific definitions for electric