An electric device or machine works by means of electricity, rather than using some other source of power.
...her electric guitar.
Synonyms: electric-powered, powered, cordless, battery-operated More Synonyms of electric
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
An electric current, voltage, or charge is one that is produced by electricity.
3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Electric plugs, sockets, or power lines are designed to carry electricity.
4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Electric is used to refer to the supply of electricity.
[informal]
An average electric bill might go up $2 or $3 per month.
5. adjective
If you describe the atmosphere of a place or event as electric, you mean that people are in a state of great excitement.
The mood in the hall was electric.
Synonyms: charged, exciting, stirring, thrilling More Synonyms of electric
electric in British English
(ɪˈlɛktrɪk)
adjective
1.
of, derived from, produced by, producing, transmitting, or powered by electricity
electric current
an electric cord
an electric blanket
an electric fence
an electric fire
2.
(of a musical instrument) amplified electronically
an electric guitar
an electric mandolin
3.
very tense or exciting; emotionally charged
an electric atmosphere
noun
4. informal
an electric train, car, etc
5. British informal
electricity or electrical power
6. (plural)
an electric circuit or electric appliances
▶ USAGE See note at electronic
Word origin
C17: from New Latin electricus amber-like (because friction causes amber to become charged), from Latin ēlectrum amber, from Greek ēlektron, of obscure origin
electric in American English
(iˈlɛktrɪk; ɪˈlɛktrɪk)
adjective
1.
of, charged with, or conducting electricity
an electric wire
2.
producing, or produced by, electricity
an electric generator
3.
operated by electricity
an electric iron
4.
using electronic amplification
said of certain musical instruments
electric guitar, bass, etc.
5.
very tense or exciting; electrifying
6.
designating a color that is very bright or metallic
electric blue
noun
7. US
a train, car, etc. operated by electricity
Word origin
ModL electricus (coined, 1600, by William Gilbert2 (sense 4)), lit., produced from amber by rubbing < ML, of amber < L electrum, amber, electrum < Gr ēlektron, akin to ēlektōr, shining, the sun < ?
Examples of 'electric' in a sentence
electric
City could hardly hear themselves think in the electric atmosphere and were clearly rattled.
The Sun (2016)
Do these sheep dream of electric fences?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
These crystals give off a small electric current.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was like an electric light had gone off in my brain.
The Sun (2016)
Whisk until light and fluffy using an electric hand whisk and spoon into the cases.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Electric cars have four times as much copper as an internal combustion vehicle and the charging equipment requires more.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Along the route, the atmosphere was electric.
The Sun (2016)
Experts are predicting one of the worst winters for years, so invest in an electric blanket and stay warm.
The Sun (2016)
I bought myself quite an expensive electric bass guitar, so it could be about an electric bass guitar.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
What is it about the electric guitar that has gained it such iconic status?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The sheer resilience of my players shone through and the atmosphere was electric.
The Sun (2012)
Put the egg whites into a bowl and whisk with an electric mixer until thickened.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They have also built an electric fence around the most popular breeding area.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Two other important new industries were the telephone and electric light businesses.
Garraty, John Arthur The American Nation: A History of the United States to 1877 (1995)
Time to fly home to my electric blanket and underfloor heating.
The Sun (2015)
The gas and electric bills concern us.
The Sun (2009)
The battery makes an electric current low through the copper wire.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It works on the concept that a copper strip carrying a tiny electric charge will repel slugs.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Electric trains emit less greenhouse gas than diesels and cause less network wear and tear.
The Sun (2009)
Its industries rely on electric power and the country imports huge amounts of oil and gas.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
One option was to encourage companies to sell electric cars but lease the batteries.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The electric chair can be very messy.
The Sun (2008)
The rock riff is a product of a misuse of the electric guitar.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Mix with an electric whisk for two minutes until smooth.
The Sun (2014)
Houses are surrounded by high walls topped by electric fences to keep out marauding bands of robbers.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
These signs were constructed from tubes glowing with electric light.
Baxter, Stephen Anti-Ice (1993)
Save s on your gas and electric bills by switching suppliers.
The Sun (2015)
It uses variations in electric current along a long wire to transmit coded messages from one location to another.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The bolt of lightning had struck the roof aerial and sent a huge electric charge down to the set.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It was only in the morning that he discovered his wife had bought an electric blanket while he was away.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The electric power industry expanded rapidly.
Garraty, John Arthur The American Nation: A History of the United States to 1877 (1995)
Electric trains are also quieter, less polluting and far more reliable.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
I would say this is the first electric car that truly handles.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
electric
British English: electric /ɪˈlɛktrɪk/ ADJECTIVE
An electric device works by means of electricity.
...her electric guitar.
American English: electric
Arabic: كَهْرَبائِيّ
Brazilian Portuguese: elétrico
Chinese: 电的
Croatian: električan
Czech: elektrický
Danish: elektrisk
Dutch: elektrisch
European Spanish: eléctrico
Finnish: sähköinen
French: électrique
German: elektrisch
Greek: ηλεκτρικός
Italian: elettrico
Japanese: 電気の
Korean: 전기의
Norwegian: elektrisk
Polish: elektryczny
European Portuguese: elétrico
Romanian: electric
Russian: электрический
Latin American Spanish: eléctrico
Swedish: elektrisk
Thai: เกี่ยวกับไฟฟ้า
Turkish: elektrikli
Ukrainian: електричний
Vietnamese: điện
All related terms of 'electric'
electric arc
→ arc (sense 3 )
electric bike
A bike is a bicycle or a motorcycle .
electric blue
Something that is electric blue is very bright blue in colour.
electric eel
an eel-like freshwater cyprinoid fish, Electrophorus electricus, of N South America , having electric organs in the body: family Electrophoridae
electric eye
→ photoelectric cell
electric fire
a device that provides heat for a room from an incandescent electric element
electric flux
the product of the electric displacement and the area across which it is displaced in an electric field
electric hare
(in greyhound racing) a model of a hare , mounted on an electrified rail , which the dogs chase
electric ray
any ray of the order Torpediniformes, of tropical and temperate seas, having a flat rounded body with an electric organ in each of the fins , close to the head
pre-electric
happening or produced prior to the invention of electricity
diesel-electric
a locomotive fitted with a diesel engine driving an electric generator that feeds electric traction motors
electric chair
The electric chair is a method of killing criminals , used especially in the United States , in which a person is strapped to a special chair and killed by a powerful electric current .
electric charge
Electric charge is an amount of electricity that is held in or carried by something.
electric cooker
a device for cooking which is powered by electricity
electric fence
a fence with an electric current in it, typically used to keep cattle in a field
electric field
a field of force surrounding a charged particle within which another charged particle experiences a force
electric guitar
an electronically amplified guitar , used mainly in pop music
electric light
a light powered by electricity
electric mixer
a device for mixing ingredients which is powered by electricity
electric motor
a device that converts electrical energy to mechanical torque
electric needle
a surgical instrument for cutting tissue by the application of a high-frequency current
electric organ
a pipe organ operated by electrical means
electric piano
a piano operated by electrical means
electric razor
an electrically powered implement for shaving , having reciprocating or rotating blades behind a fine metal comb or pierced foil
electric shaver
an electrically powered implement for shaving , having reciprocating or rotating blades behind a fine metal comb or pierced foil
electric shock
If you get an electric shock , you get a sudden painful feeling when you touch something which is connected to a supply of electricity .
electric socket
a device on a wall where you can plug electrical equipment into the electricity supply
electric storm
a violent atmospheric disturbance in which the air is highly charged with static electricity , causing a storm
electric system
An electric system consists of all of the elements needed to distribute electrical power, including overhead and underground lines, poles , transformers , and other equipment .
electric wiring
the wires which allow electricity to flow somewhere
turbo-electric
of, relating to, or using an electric generator driven by a turbine
electric blanket
An electric blanket is a blanket with wires inside it which carry an electric current that keeps the blanket warm.
electric circuit
a complete route or course, esp one that is curved or circular or that lies around an object
electric constant
the permittivity of free space, which has the value 8.854 187 × 10 –12 farad per metre
electric current
An electric current is a flow of electricity through a wire or circuit .
electric discharge
to release or allow to go
electric furnace
any furnace in which the heat is provided by an electric current
electric potential
the work required to transfer a unit positive electric charge from an infinite distance to a given point against an electric field
electric retarder
An electric retarder is an electromagnetic transmission brake that is only effective when a vehicle is moving.
electric strength
the maximum voltage sustainable by an insulating material , after which it loses its insulating properties
electric vehicle
An electric vehicle is a vehicle that is driven by an electric motor which draws its current either from storage batteries or from overhead cables .
electric welding
the process of welding together, through the use of the heat that is produced by an electric current , pieces of metal
electric atmosphere
The atmosphere of a place is the general impression that you get of it.
electric displacement
the electric flux density when an electric field exists in free space into which a dielectric is introduced
electric polarization
Electric polarization is the type of polarization of electricity that occurs in a dielectric .
electric typewriter
a keyboard machine, powered by electricity , for writing mechanically in characters resembling print
electric wheelchair
A wheelchair is a chair with wheels that you use in order to move about in if you cannot walk properly, for example because you have a disability or are sick .
the electric chair
an electrified chair for executing criminals
electric-arc furnace
a furnace in which the charge is heated by an electric arc
electric-arc welding
a technique in which metal is welded by heat generated by an electric arc struck between two electrodes or between one electrode and the metal workpiece