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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.
Examples of hectic in a Sentence
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 16 May 2025
The fashion designer has attended both days of this week's proceeding, entering with a walker amid a hectic scene outside the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Manhattan.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 14 May 2025
After years spent enduring high taxes and four-hour-long round-trip commutes to his job in Los Angeles as an insurance adjuster for large commercial claims, Andy Costa wanted to escape in retirement from the costs and hectic pace of Southern California.
—William P. Barrett, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
With Bobby carrying out his usual duties as head chef slash father figure, the 118 is seen gathered around the firehouse dinner table, fueling up before yet another hectic full moon.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hectic
Cite this Entry
“Hectic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hectic. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hectic
adjective
Medical Definition
hectic
adjective
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