adjective
Synonym Usage
See active.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of energetic
First recorded in 1645–55; from Greek energētikós, from energē- (from en- en- 2 + ergē-, variant stem of ergeîn “to be active”; see energy) + -tikos -tic
Explanation
Energetic describes someone who has lots of get-up-and-go. When you decide to jog alongside the bus instead of taking it to work, you are energetic — so energetic that it tires the rest of the commuters out just watching you. Energetic comes from the Greek, energetikos, meaning “active.” When you are energetic, you're active with enthusiasm and excitement to spare. Energetic describes those little kids you babysit, who never sit still and force you to play hide and seek. Energetic can also mean a powerful focused effort, where you work hard to achieve something. The energetic bond between the men was formed after months of training together in the military.
Vocabulary lists containing energetic
In the Mood? 100 Words to Describe Emotions
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Hooked on a Feeling, List 3
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"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 6
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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.
With his impish attitude and energetic outlook, maturing on his own terms, he seems far off from any sort of valedictory phase.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
Linda Losurdo, a PhD candidate in materials and plasma physics in the School of Physics, combined nitrogen, carbon dioxide and acetylene to simulate the energetic conditions found near stars and supernova remnants.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 19, 2026
Behind the scenes of soccer commentary: If you’ve been tuning in to the World Cup, you’ve probably been struck by the announcers’ uniquely energetic, passionate commentary.
From Slate ● Jul. 8, 2026
"I really like how energetic they are and how much they have have when they are on stage performing," Alyssa said of Foo Fighters.
From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026
The paper argued that our vacuum might be a “false” vacuum in an unnaturally energetic state—like a ball perched precariously on the side of a hill.
From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife
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.
