electric
electric
Pronunciation
/ɪˈlɛktrɪk/
e-: /ɪ/ (short "i" sound, as in "bit")
lec-: /lɛk/ (as in "lek" or the beginning of "lecture")
tric: /trɪk/ (as in "trick")
Word Form Variations
Noun:
electricity (uncountable)
electrician (singular, countable)
electricians (plural, countable)
Adjective:
electric (no comparative or superlative forms in the typical sense, though "more electric" or "most electric" could be used informally to describe intensity)
Verb:
electrify (base form)
electrifies (third person singular present)
electrifying (present participle, gerund)
electrified (past tense, past participle)
Adverb:
electrically
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition 1: Pertaining to, charged with, or powered by electricity.
Synonyms: powered, charged, current-driven, voltaic
Antonyms: manual, mechanical, unpowered, disconnected
Definition 2: Causing or capable of causing a sudden, powerful surge of emotion or excitement.
Synonyms: thrilling, exciting, stimulating, charged, vibrant, captivating
Antonyms: dull, boring, unexciting, mundane, lifeless
Noun
Definition 1: (informal) An electric vehicle, especially a car or bicycle.
Synonyms: EV, battery car, e-bike
Antonyms: gasoline car, petrol car, internal combustion vehicle
Definition 2: (in the plural, "electrics") The electrical system or components of a device or building.
Synonyms: wiring, circuitry, electronics, power system
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms as it refers to specific components)
Examples of Use
Newspapers:
"The atmosphere at the final match was electric, with fans on both sides roaring their teams on to victory." ( The Daily Herald)
"New legislation aims to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, offering incentives for consumers and manufacturers alike." ( The New York Times)
Online Publications:
"Review: The new 'Electric Dreams' series on Amazon Prime is a visually stunning and thought-provoking adaptation of Philip K. Dick's stories." (IGN.com)
"Scientists are developing innovative ways to store electric energy more efficiently, paving the way for a greener future." (ScienceDaily.com)
Books:
"A bolt of electric current coursed through his veins, revitalizing his weary body." (From a fantasy novel, The Arcanist's Apprentice, by Elara Vance, published 2022)
"The city at night was an electric tapestry of neon lights and bustling streets, a stark contrast to the quiet rural landscape she had left behind." (From a contemporary fiction novel, City of Echoes, by David Chen, published 2023)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Music: The song "Electric Feel" by MGMT became a popular indie anthem, known for its synth-pop sound and dreamy lyrics. (Released 2007)
Film: The climax of the action film featured an intense chase scene involving high-speed electric bikes through crowded city streets. (From the film Neon Pursuit, released 2024)
Video Games: In the popular game "Cyberpunk 2077," players can acquire and customize various electric weapons and vehicles for combat and traversal. (Released December 2020)
General Public Discourse:
"Did you see that new electric car commercial? It looks amazing, the range is so much better now."
"The concert was absolutely electric from start to finish. I've never experienced such energy in a crowd."
"My old toaster just stopped working; I think there's an electric problem with it."
10 Quotes Using Electric
"I sing the electric body." (Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass)
"The brain is a wonderfully electric thing." (Richard Feynman)
"The world is now electric." (Marshall McLuhan)
"Every new tool and technology, from fire to the wheel to the electric light, expands human capability." (Ray Kurzweil)
"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one.' And often, there's an electric current." (C.S. Lewis)
"Music is the electric soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents." (Ludwig van Beethoven)
"Ideas are electric sparks, and the brain is the generator." (Unknown)
"An electric car is a silent statement." (Anonymous)
"Love is an electric current flowing through the universe." (Paulo Coelho)
"The creative act is not an ego trip, but a spiritual act. It’s an electric charge, an intuitive spark that comes from beyond." (Brian Eno)
Etymology
The word "electric" comes from the Greek word "elektron," which originally meant amber.
Now, you might be wondering, what does amber have to do with electricity? Well, the ancient Greeks, around 600 BC, noticed that when they rubbed amber with a piece of fur or cloth, the amber would attract lightweight objects like feathers or bits of straw. This phenomenon was, in fact, the first observation of static electricity!
Fast forward many centuries to the 17th century. An English scientist named William Gilbert was doing a lot of experiments with magnetism and this strange force he observed in amber. In his book De Magnete (published in 1600), he coined the Latin word "electricus" to describe substances that behaved like amber—meaning they could attract other objects after being rubbed. This is considered the first known use of a word directly related to our modern "electric."
So, the first meaning of "electric" (or rather, its Latin predecessor "electricus") was simply "like amber" in its ability to attract things after friction. Over time, as more was understood about this mysterious force, the meaning of "electric" evolved to describe anything related to, produced by, or powered by electricity as we know it today.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Electric
Electric slide: A popular line dance.
Electric current: The flow of electrical charge.
Electric shock: A sudden discharge of electricity through the body.
Electric fence: A barrier that delivers an electric shock.
Electric guitar: A guitar that uses pickups to convert string vibrations into electrical signals.
Electric atmosphere: A very exciting or tense mood in a place.
Feel the current: To experience the strong energy or influence of something.
Live wire: A very energetic or unpredictable person.
Spark of genius: A sudden flash of brilliant insight or creativity.
Charged up: Full of energy or enthusiasm.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of electric from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
