kinetic

adjective

ki·​net·​ic kə-ˈne-tik 

also

kī- 

1

: of or relating to the motion of material bodies and the forces and energy associated therewith

2

a

: active, lively

b

: dynamic, energizing

a kinetic performer

3

: of or relating to kinetic art

kinetically

kə-ˈne-ti-k(ə-)lē 

 also  kī-

adverb

Did you know?

Kinetic comes from the Greek word kinētikos, meaning "of motion," which in turn traces to the verb kinein, meaning "to move." Compared to some other English words that have their roots in Greek, kinetic is a relatively young English word; the earliest evidence we have of its use is from the 19th century. Although it deals with the motion of images rather than material bodies, the word cinema is also related to kinein. The verb kinein is the source of the Greek kinēma, meaning "movement," to which the French referred in the coining of their cinématographe. Cinématographe is the word that gave rise to the English word cinematograph, of which cinema is simply a shortened form.

Synonyms

• active
• airy
• animate
• animated
• bouncing
• brisk
• energetic
• frisky
• gay
• jaunty
• jazzy
• lively
• mettlesome
• peppy
• perky
• pert
• pizzazzy
• pizazzy
• racy
• snappy
• spanking
• sparky
• spirited
• sprightly
• springy
• vital
• vivacious
• zippy

Examples of kinetic in a Sentence

the novel's plot is kinetic and fast-paced, and its effect on the reader is much like that of a surfeit of caffeine

the loft district is the locus of the city's kinetic arts scene

Recent Examples on the Web

Your forearm is tight, the stress goes somewhere else in the kinetic chain. —Evan Grant, Dallas News, 13 Sep. 2023

Related Story Shady Russian Satellite Breaks in Earth's Orbit Fortunately, real kinetic space warfare has yet to happen. —Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 5 Sep. 2023

Monday marks 11-straight days that North Korea has not responded to South Korean checkup calls on a set of cross-border inter-Korean hotlines, South Korean officials say, raising concerns about potential kinetic provocations. —Kim Tong-Hyung, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Apr. 2023

Last year, in a once-in-a-decade report, planetary scientists endorsed investing in a variety of asteroid defense techniques, not just kinetic impactors like DART. —Ramin Skibba, WIRED, 30 Aug. 2023

But the vests also speak to the physicality necessary to keep the kinetic beat going. —Fawnia Soo Hoo, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Aug. 2023

The whole structure is further perforated by LED lights that transform the stage into a fully immersive kinetic light show. —Rachel Silva, ELLE Decor, 3 Aug. 2023

There’s a kinetic jubilation to these pink plastic tableaux. —Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 July 2023

This is the first in a trilogy of fantasy adventures that offer brilliantly kinetic entertainment. —Vogue, 17 July 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Greek kinētikos, from kinētos, from kinein — see -kinesis

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing kinetic

• kinetic art
• kinetic theory
• kinetic energy

• kinetic art
• kinetic theory
• kinetic energy

Kids Definition

kinetic

adjective

ki·​net·​ic kə-ˈnet-ik 

kī-

: of or relating to the motions of material bodies and the forces and energy associated with them

Etymology

from Greek kinētikos "relating to motion," derived from kinein "to move" — related to cinema

Medical Definition

kinetic

adjective

ki·​net·​ic kə-ˈnet-ik  kī- 

: of or relating to the motion of material bodies and the forces and energy associated therewith

kinetically adverb