electric

[ ih-lek-trik ]
See synonyms for electric on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. pertaining to, derived from, produced by, or involving electricity: an electric shock.

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

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

  2. (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
  1. Railroads.

    • an electric locomotive.

    • Informal. a railroad operated by electricity.

  2. electricity: residential users of gas and electric.

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

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

Origin of electric

1
First recorded in 1640–50; from New Latin electricus, from Latin ēlectr(um) “amber” (see electrum) + -icus -ic

Other words for electric

Opposites for electric

Other words from electric

  • non·e·lec·tric, adjective, noun
  • pre·e·lec·tric, adjective
  • un·e·lec·tric, adjective

Words Nearby electric

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How to use electric in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for electric

electric

/ (ɪˈlɛktrɪk) /


adjective
  1. of, derived from, produced by, producing, transmitting, or powered by electricity: electric current; an electric cord; an electric blanket; an electric fence; an electric fire

  2. (of a musical instrument) amplified electronically: an electric guitar; an electric mandolin

  1. very tense or exciting; emotionally charged: an electric atmosphere

noun
  1. informal an electric train, car, etc

  2. British informal electricity or electrical power

  1. (plural) an electric circuit or electric appliances

Origin of electric

1
C17: from New Latin electricus amber-like (because friction causes amber to become charged), from Latin ēlectrum amber, from Greek ēlektron, of obscure origin

electric

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-lĕktrĭk ]


  1. Relating to or operated by electricity. Compare electronic.

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