electrify

verb

elec·​tri·​fy i-ˈlek-trə-ˌfī 

ē-

electrified; electrifying

transitive verb

1

a

: to charge with electricity

b(1)

: to equip for use of electric power

(2)

: to supply with electric power

(3)

: to amplify (music) electronically

2

: to excite intensely or suddenly

the news electrified the nation

Synonyms

• charge
• excite
• exhilarate
• galvanize
• intoxicate
• pump up
• thrill
• titillate
• turn on

Examples of electrify in a Sentence

Many of the rural areas still aren't electrified.

The news electrified the nation.

Recent Examples on the Web

The atmosphere at Brooklyn’s Mercury Store was electrifying on Saturday (July) thanks to a fierce rap competition. —Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 July 2024

But others might be electrified by Trump’s embrace of Jesus. —Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 14 July 2024

The city planned to develop wide-scale solar energy, take its building stock off fossil fuels, and electrify its vehicle fleet. —Stephanie Hanes, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 July 2024

All of that would appear to spell disaster for the goal of electrifying America’s roads. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 8 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1745, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

electrify

verb

elec·​tri·​fy i-ˈlek-trə-ˌfī 

electrified; electrifying

1

a

: to charge with electricity

b

: to equip for use of electric power or supply with electric power

2

: to cause to feel great or sudden excitement : thrill

electrified the audience

electrification

-ˌlek-trə-fə-ˈkā-shən

noun