dynamic

adjective dy·nam·ic \ dī-ˈna-mik \

Definition of dynamic

1 or less commonly dynamical play \-mi-kəl\

a :of or relating to physical force or energy

b :of or relating to dynamics (see dynamics)

2 a :marked by usually continuous and productive activity or change

a dynamic city

b :energetic, forceful

a dynamic personality

3 of random-access memory :requiring periodic refreshment of charge in order to retain data

—

dynamically

play \-mi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See dynamic defined for English-language learners

See dynamic defined for kids

Examples of dynamic in a Sentence

… tournament blackjack is more dynamic, and more complex, than simply playing against the house. —Michael Kaplan, Cigar Aficionado, December 2002
Indeed, one of the most dynamic influences on family life and society in the last century was the extension of concepts to individual worth and human rights. —Perdita Huston, Ms., December 2001/January 2002
The new dynamic duo have little in common but a bright orange ball. —Stephen Rodrick, ESPN, 3 Apr. 2000
an exciting and dynamic performance
the dynamic theory of heat

Recent Examples of dynamic from the Web

Spruill carried a heavy load as the team’s most dynamic offensive threat, running for 1,637 yards and scoring 22 touchdowns.

— oscar terrones, San Diego U-T Preps, "Mar Vista in rebuilding mode, but team's expectations are high," 30 Aug. 2017
Day at camp featured a couple familiar rookie names making more dynamic plays.

— paul dehner jr., Cincinnati.com, "Bengals Walkthru: Don't read the depth chart," 9 Aug. 2017
Through in-depth reviews, live reports, and dynamic videos, Hodinkee is bringing watches to a 21st-century audience.

— jack forster, Bloomberg.com, "Five New Watches Under $6,000 That Punch Far Above Their Weight," 4 Aug. 2017
Just imagine the adrenaline surge if Dipoto were to pick up a dynamic starter to position the M’s for a strong stretch run.

— larry stone, The Seattle Times, "Clock is ticking as Mariners under pressure to trade for a starting pitcher," 20 July 2017
Unknown Woman was especially popular in early America, when the dynamic lives of women who helped build the nation were largely ignored by historians.

— petula dvorak, Washington Post, "History’s ‘Unknown Woman.’ Few cared who she was or what she accomplished.," 20 July 2017
In turn, this causes average Americans harm by denying them the opportunity to invest in dynamic companies.

— The Economist, "Wall StreetA new approach to financial regulation," 13 July 2017
This means that Sheryl comes to life as a complex, interesting, and dynamic person.

— anne t. donahue, Cosmopolitan, "9 True Crime Podcasts That Will Haunt You All Summer Long," 10 July 2017
In another important dynamic, lawmakers were awaiting a key analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office of the measure's price tag and the number of people who might lose coverage if it is enacted.

— alan fram, chicagotribune.com, "GOP leaders add new item to health care bill: penalty for lapsed coverage," 26 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dynamic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of dynamic

French dynamique, from Greek dynamikos powerful, from dynamis power, from dynasthai to be able

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1744

See Words from the same year

dynamic Synonyms

Synonyms

vigorous, energetic, flush, gingery, lusty, peppy, red-blooded, robust, vital

Antonyms

dull, lethargic, listless, sluggish, torpid

Near Antonyms

delicate, effete, enervated, faint, feeble, frail, infirm, wan, weak, weakened; impotent, powerless, prostrate, prostrated, sapped, tired; indolent, lackadaisical, languid, lazy; invertebrate, nerveless, soft, spineless, wimpy; ill, unhealthy, unsound, unwell; broken-down, debilitated, decrepit, disabled, wasted, worn-out

Other Physics Terms

amplitude, centrifugal, centripetal, convection, gradient, hysteresis, kinetic, lase, quantum

dynamic

noun dy·nam·ic \ dī-ˈna-mik \

Definition of dynamic

1 :a dynamic force (see ¹dynamic)

2 :dynamics 2; also :an underlying cause of change or growth

See dynamic defined for English-language learners

Examples of dynamic in a Sentence

… the high-tech world is, at heart, a cruel, unforgiving place ruled by the merciless dynamics of the marketplace. —Michiko Kakutani, New York Times, 27 June 2002
… my memory of specific events is sketchy, but the general emotional flavor is engraved on my mind as a classic example of my family's bent dynamic. —Florence King, National Review, 15 Oct. 2001
… the Cambrian Explosion, created the evolutionary dynamic that produced most of the species that subsequently populated the earth, from insects and fish to dinosaurs and humans. —J. Madeleine Nash, Time, 20 Aug. 2001
Raisons d'état, not the dynamics of capitalism, created the American thrust for world influence. —Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Cycles of American History, 1986
the dynamic between a doctor and a patient
Group dynamics are important to consider.
The dynamics of this class are different from those of other classes.
Disease was a central dynamic in the decrease in population.
a study on famine and population dynamics

Recent Examples of dynamic from the Web

Hower said there’s an interesting push-pull dynamic happening between streaming media players and smart TVs.

— jennifer van grove, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Roku is killing Apple (and everyone else) in the streaming device space," 26 Aug. 2017
White House midterm dynamics are pushing these races in different directions.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Note to GOP: Senators From the Party That Doesn’t Control the White House Usually Do Very Well in Midterms," 24 Aug. 2017
Bannon was the administration’s most effective advocate for delivering on the Trump campaign agenda, said one official who requested anonymity to discuss internal dynamics.

— justin sink, Bloomberg.com, "Bannon Ousted From White House Amid Furor Over Trump Remarks," 18 Aug. 2017
But Ryan O’Daniel, who managed McCain’s 2016 reelection, said that Flake faces a similar political dynamic that McCain faced two years ago.

— ed o'keefe, Washington Post, "Can Jeff Flake survive the role of chief Republican antagonist to Trump?," 13 Aug. 2017
A founder of the Huffington Post who now runs a wellness company, Thrive Global, Ms. Huffington grew close to Mr. Kalanick since being appointed to the board last year, according to two people familiar with the board’s dynamics.

— mike isaac, New York Times, "Uber’s Search for New C.E.O. Hampered by Deep Split on Board," 30 July 2017
By the end of the season, after copious violence and score-settling and twisting power dynamics, the show settles itself on a strangely redemptive theme.

— corey atad, Esquire, "Netflix's Ozark Might Be Too Much Like Breaking Bad for Its Own Good," 24 July 2017
The new dynamic at the heart of Europe was not just economic.

— The Economist, "If France’s reforms succeededWhat a Macron miracle could do for France and Europe," 13 July 2017
Or how its camera has turned us all into citizen photojournalists, and in so doing significantly altered the social dynamics surrounding police violence.

— Longreads, "A Sociology of the Smartphone," 14 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of dynamic

see ¹dynamic

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1868

See Words from the same year

DYNAMIC Defined for English Language Learners

dynamic

adjective

Definition of dynamic for English Language Learners

: always active or changing
: having or showing a lot of energy
: of or relating to energy, motion, or physical force

dynamic

noun

Definition of dynamic for English Language Learners

: the way that two or more people behave with each other because of a particular situation
: something that causes change or growth in something else
dynamics : the science that studies motion and the forces that cause or stop motion

DYNAMIC Defined for Kids

dynamic

adjective dy·nam·ic \ dī-ˈna-mik \

Definition of dynamic for Students

:always active, energetic, or changing

a dynamic city

Medical Dictionary

dynamic

adjective dy·nam·ic \ dī-ˈnam-ik \

medical Definition of dynamic

1 also dynamical play \-i-kəl\

a :of or relating to physical force or energy

b :of or relating to dynamics

2 :functional 1b

a dynamic disease

3 a :marked by continuous usually productive activity or change

a dynamic population

b :marked by energy or forcefulness

a dynamic personality

—

dynamically

play \-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

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dynamic

Definition of dynamic

dynamically

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Synonyms

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Other Physics Terms

dynamic

Definition of dynamic

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Origin and Etymology of dynamic

DYNAMIC Defined for English Language Learners

dynamic

Definition of dynamic for English Language Learners

dynamic

Definition of dynamic for English Language Learners

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dynamic

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Medical Dictionary

dynamic

medical Definition of dynamic

dynamically

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