hectic

adjective

hec·​tic ˈhek-tik 

1

: characterized by activity, excitement, or confusion

a hectic lifestyle

the hectic first few days of the school year

2

a

medical : of, relating to, or being a fluctuating but persistent fever (as in tuberculosis)

b

: having a hectic fever

a hectic patient

3

: red, flushed

hectic color on her cheeks

hectically

ˈhek-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

hectically busy

Did you know?

Semantic Crisis Intervention

Some people are bothered by changes in a word’s meaning (see: literally), while others have a more relaxed attitude towards semantic drift. For those who feel vexed when a word seems to have suddenly changed its spots, it may be of some comfort to know that words in English do this all the time; crisis is a fine example. Originally, crisis denoted “the turning point for better or worse in an acute disease or fever.” Now it most commonly means “a difficult or dangerous situation that needs serious attention,” yet few people insist that it should be used exclusively in its older meaning. The normality of semantic change can be seen in another word that first appeared in febrile contexts: hectic, which now is primarily used to mean “very busy,” originally referred to a fever that was fluctuating but recurrent.

Synonyms of hectic

• excited
• heated
• agitated
• frenzied

Examples of hectic in a Sentence

We both had hectic days at work.

She maintains a hectic schedule as a journalist and mother.

Recent Examples on the Web

As strong winds picked up in Austin, Texas in the afternoon of March 15, myriad outdoor events at SXSW 2026 were cancelled or moved as increasingly hectic gusts ripped across town. —Katie Bain, Billboard, 16 Mar. 2026

The Ravens’ offseason has been hectic. —Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar. 2026

Those exciting times keep Richards going with what is always a hectic schedule. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 Mar. 2026

Her days started moving at warp speed, the hours hectic and endless and exhausting. —Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English etyk, from Anglo-French etique, from Late Latin hecticus, from Greek hektikos habitual, consumptive, from echein to have — more at scheme entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing hectic

• has a busy/hectic social life

Rhymes for hectic

• pectic
• smectic
• apoplectic
• dialectic
• cachectic
• eclectic
• eutectic
• symplectic

Kids Definition

hectic

adjective

hec·​tic ˈhek-tik 

1

: being hot and flushed

2

: filled with excitement, activity, or confusion

a hectic day of shopping

hectically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

hectic

adjective

hec·​tic ˈhek-tik 

1

: of, relating to, or being a fluctuating but persistent fever (as in tuberculosis)

2

: having a hectic fever

a hectic patient