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

For Kelce, a trip to Coachella would cap a hectic week. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024

Helicopters followed overhead as police chased the Bronco in a low-speed pursuit broadcast across the hectic Los Angeles area as Simpson reportedly held a gun to his head. —Dakin Andone, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024

The movie maintains a hectic tone to match its slashingly antic material. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2024

McCrimmon’s Fanny, by contrast, has the hectic air of a jobbing performer, a scrapper more than a sure thing, one who learned to talk as fast as humanly possible before the door slams in her face. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

That’s part of what makes Patel’s direction of the film so fascinating — the action sequences at the end of the movie are so much slicker than the hectic, chaotic brawls in the first half, because the Kid is so much more skilled and confident. —Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

Google Chrome March was another hectic month for Google, which patched multiple flaws in its Chrome browser. —Kate O'Flaherty, WIRED, 31 Mar. 2024

Many of the artists who were at Frieze, either as participants or spectators, cherished getting a chance to unwind after the hectic festival. —Alyson Krueger, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024

For example, the individual threatens to leave after the significant other raises their voice at them after a hectic day at work. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 29 Mar. 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