electric

1 of 2

adjective

elec·​tric i-ˈlek-trik 

ē-

1

or electrical

i-ˈlek-tri-kəl 

ē-

: 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

a

: electronic sense 3a

b

: amplifying sound by electronic means

—used of a musical instrument

an electric guitar

4

: very bright

electric blue

electric orange

electrically

i-ˈlek-tri-k(ə-)lē 

ē-

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.

Synonyms

Adjective

• breathtaking
• charged
• electrifying
• exciting
• exhilarating
• exhilarative
• galvanic
• galvanizing
• hair-raising
• heart-stopping
• inspiring
• intoxicating
• kicky
• mind-bending
• mind-blowing
• mind-boggling
• rip-roaring
• rousing
• stimulating
• stirring
• thrilling

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Demand for electric vehicles in Europe remains steady. —Akash Sriram, USA Today, 24 May 2025

The analysts feel that Elon Musk is once again committed running Tesla and focusing on the future of self-driving electric vehicles and robotics. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 23 May 2025

Noun

Clooney looked to the side and saw Obama walking in, grayer but still spry and electric. —Jake Tapper, New Yorker, 13 May 2025

The boat has been fully restored and made electric, and Captain Arnold whisks guests off for nearby adventures in the Duivendrechtse Polder for farm visits or the impossibly charming fishing village of Durgerdam for lunch at De Mark Restaurant. —Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2025

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

Phrases Containing electric

• diesel-electric
• electric bicycle
• electric bike
• electric chair
• electric eel
• electric eye
• electric fence
• electric field
• electric griddle
• electric organ
• electric ray
• electric scooter
• pre-electric

Rhymes for electric

• dielectric
• bioelectric
• ferroelectric
• hydroelectric
• isoelectric
• photoelectric
• pyroelectric
• thermoelectric
• nonelectric
• piezoelectric

Kids Definition

electric

1 of 2 adjective

elec·​tric i-ˈlek-trik 

1

or electrical

-tri-kəl 

: 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

-tri-k(ə-)lē 

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 

variants or electrical

-tri-kəl 

: of, relating to, or operated by electricity

electrically

-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb