hectic

adjective

hec·​tic ˈhek-tik 

1

: characterized by activity, excitement, or confusion

the hectic days before the holidays

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

• agitated
• excited
• feverish
• frenzied
• heated
• hyperactive
• overactive
• overwrought

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

This raises the question: How do Arizonans satisfy their culinary cravings amid their hectic schedules? —Kyle Russell, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024

The hectic experience didn’t stop there: Winslet also recalled banging her knee on the railing a few times and needing multiple takes to get everything just right. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 12 June 2024

Another flick of Terence’s finger and this fellow proceeded to fill his glass with Champagne — smack in the middle of some hectic filming, with Terence not once taking his eye from the action! —Paul Duncan, Vulture, 24 May 2024

After a hectic 24 hours in which Jackson got three hours of sleep, Matt called in a favor to get a couple of seats on a private plane and the entire Holliday family converged on Fenway Park, Jackson added a new entry to the family legacy as a second-generation major leaguer. —Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 2024

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

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