energetic

adjective

en·​er·​get·​ic ˌe-nər-ˈje-tik 

1

: operating with or marked by vigor or effect

2

: marked by energy : strenuous

an energetic walk

3

: of or relating to energy

energetically

ˌe-nər-ˈje-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of energetic

• dynamic
• vigorous
• lively
• robust
• powerful

Choose the Right Synonym for energetic

vigorous, energetic, strenuous, lusty, nervous mean having or showing great vitality and force.

vigorous further implies showing no signs of depletion or diminishing of freshness or robustness.

as vigorous as a youth half his age

energetic suggests a capacity for intense activity.

an energetic campaigner

strenuous suggests a preference for coping with the arduous or the challenging.

the strenuous life on an oil rig

lusty implies exuberant energy and capacity for enjoyment.

a lusty appetite for life

nervous suggests especially the forcibleness and sustained effectiveness resulting from mental vigor.

full of nervous energy

Examples of energetic in a Sentence

She has an energetic personality.

The children are energetic workers.

They mounted an energetic campaign.

Recent Examples on the Web

Inspired by both pre-Columbian cultures and modern scientific theories, Jensen made energetic diagrams of shapes, symbols, and numbers in loud complementary colors, using thick globs of paint; the results generate a fascinating friction. —Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026

Expect an energetic Latin dance party and drink specials all night Sunday. —Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026

The technical kit will come with the traditional dark blue, white and red tones and — in a key update from the last Games — pops of energetic pink. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 2026

Chopped with face-framing curtain bangs and curled into small (almost Shirley Temple-sized) ringlets, the singer’s hair is clearly a reference to her look from the song’s energetic music video. —Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Greek energētikos, from energein to be active, from energos

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing energetic

• hyper-energetic

Rhymes for energetic

• alphabetic
• anaesthetic
• anesthetic
• antithetic
• apathetic
• arithmetic
• cybernetic
• diabetic
• dietetic
• diuretic
• empathetic
• geodetic

Kids Definition

energetic

adjective

en·​er·​get·​ic ˌen-ər-ˈjet-ik 

: having or showing energy : active

an energetic salesperson

energetically

-ˈjet-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

energetic

adjective

en·​er·​get·​ic ˌen-ər-ˈjet-ik 

: of or relating to energy

energetic equation