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

Both are social, energetic working breeds, yet the American Kennel Club descriptions highlight their contrasts. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025

Cerro Paranal is also home to the Cherenkov Telescope Array, the world's most powerful observatory for research of high-energy gamma rays, extremely energetic radiation emitted from black holes and released in supernova explosions. —Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 10 Dec. 2025

Camille is more like a large and energetic Labrador in personality—lusty in bed, demanding of her husband’s attention. —Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025

An energetic rise-and-shine could spur you to make your bed, for instance, and the resulting sense of self-efficacy may reinforce your will to take a jog, setting the stage for a healthy breakfast. —Matt Fuchs, Time, 8 Dec. 2025

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