electric

1 of 2

adjective

elec·​tric i-ˈlek-trik How to pronounce electric (audio)
ē-
1
or electrical : of, relating to, or operated by electricity
an electric current
an electric heater
2
: exciting as if by electric shock
an electric performance
an electric personality
also : charged with strong emotion
the room was electric with tension
3
b
: amplifying sound by electronic means
used of a musical instrument
an electric guitar
4
: very bright
electric blue
electric orange
electrically adverb

electric

2 of 2

noun

1
archaic : a nonconductor of electricity used to excite or accumulate electricity
2
: something (such as a light, automobile, or train) operated by electricity

Did you know?

The word electric is derived from the Greek word for amber, elektron. It is only in modern times that practical use has been made of electricity, but some electrical phenomena have been known since antiquity. Certain philosophers of ancient Greece found that by rubbing amber with a piece of cloth, they could enable the amber to pick up light objects, such as feathers. In the 17th century, students of natural science began to discover that other natural phenomena were related to the effect of friction on amber.

Examples of electric in a Sentence

Adjective The device administers a mild electric shock. It plugs into any electric socket. The electrical cord is damaged. There's a problem with the building's electrical wiring. The pianist gave an electric performance. The atmosphere in the room was electric. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda has remained skeptical that electric vehicles are the only solution for carbon neutrality. Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner, 17 Nov. 2023 An electric vehicle battery is made up of thousands of individual cells, which store and release energy. WIRED, 17 Nov. 2023 Better to invest in new technologies for carbon removal, clean energy, and electric vehicles and to implement policies like carbon taxes that could fund future green technologies. Bygabriel Labbate, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2023 Other Republicans saw autoworkers’ frustration with electric vehicles as a chance to win over labor unions and their millions of voters. John Tillman, National Review, 16 Nov. 2023 Candela says this is the longest range offered by any electric boat. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Nov. 2023 The 12-suite lodge is set to have electric vehicles and private butler service. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2023 The Chargers offense was electric but the defense shockingly bad in a 41-38 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 15 Nov. 2023 And unspecified future electric vehicles will be assembled at a factory in Orion Township, Mich. Tom Krisher and Alex Veiga The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 5 Nov. 2023
Noun
Find it on Amazon Candle Lovers Only Need This Electric Lighter Stop getting your fingers burnt with this rechargeable electric lighter. Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2023 Working out of its San Francisco headquarters, Navier designed a 30-foot, eight-passenger electric foiling yacht (the N30) that progressed from sketch to full-scale, finished boat in 11 months. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2023 The night included cocktails, dinner and electric mingling for artists who rarely get to be in the same room together let alone be honored for their trend-setting work. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Oct. 2023 For the candle lovers, this electric lighter is the perfect gift. Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2023 Electric or Manual Before purchasing, keep in mind that there are two types of knife sharpeners — manual and electric. Laura Denby, Peoplemag, 10 Oct. 2023 His choice of using the [Sony FX3 camera], allowed the whole group to be a lot more nimble in terms of grip and electric. Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2023 The story is brief, bizarre, and electric, and almost seems torn from a different book. Kristen Roupenian, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2023 On her: Ralph Lauren Purple Label Ralph’s Garage Coverall, $2,995; Ralph Lauren Collection patent pumps, $750 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari The first foray into hybrid electric from the team at Maranello, the LaFerrari combines a V-12 engine with an electric motor to produce 950 hp. Paul Croughton, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'electric.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

New Latin electricus produced from amber by friction, electric, from Medieval Latin, of amber, from Latin electrum amber, electrum, from Greek ēlektron; akin to Greek ēlektōr beaming sun

First Known Use

Adjective

1722, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of electric was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near electric

Cite this Entry

“Electric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electric. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

electric

1 of 2 adjective
elec·​tric i-ˈlek-trik How to pronounce electric (audio)
1
or electrical : of, relating to, operated by, or produced by electricity
an electric current
an electric charge
an electric stove
2
: having a thrilling effect
an electric performance
electrically adverb
electricalness
-kəl-nəs
noun

electric

2 of 2 noun
: something (as a light, automobile, or train) operated by electricity
Etymology

Adjective

from scientific Latin electricus "produced from amber by friction," derived from earlier Latin electrum "amber," derived from Greek ēlektron (same meaning); so called because static electricity was first discovered by the friction produced by rubbing a piece of amber

Medical Definition

electric

adjective
elec·​tric i-ˈlek-trik How to pronounce electric (audio)
variants or electrical
: of, relating to, or operated by electricity
electrically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on electric

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