Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense electrifies, present participle electrifying, past tense, past participle electrified
1. verb [usually passive]
If people are electrifiedby an event or experience, it makes them feel very excited and surprised.
The world was electrified by his courage and resistance. [beV-ed +by]
Synonyms: thrill, shock, excite, amaze More Synonyms of electrify
electrifyingadjective
He gave an electrifying performance.
2. verb [usually passive]
When a railway system or railway line is electrified, electric cables are put over the tracks, or electric rails are put beside them, so that the trains can be powered by electricity.
The west-coast line was electrified as long ago as 1974. [beVERB-ed]
...the electrified section of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: wire up, wire, supply electricity to, convert to electricity More Synonyms of electrify
electrificationuncountable noun
...the electrification of the Oxted to Uckfield line.
electrify in British English
(ɪˈlɛktrɪˌfaɪ)
verbWord forms: -fies, -fying or -fied(transitive)
1.
to adapt or equip (a system, device, etc) for operation by electrical power
2.
to charge with or subject to electricity
3.
to startle or excite intensely; shock or thrill
Derived forms
electrifiable (eˈlectriˌfiable)
adjective
electrification (eˌlectrifiˈcation)
noun
electrifier (eˈlectriˌfier)
noun
electrify in American English
(iˈlɛktrəˌfaɪ; ɪˈlɛktrəfaɪ)
verb transitiveWord forms: eˈlectriˌfied or eˈlectriˌfying
1.
to charge with electricity
2.
to give an electric shock to
3.
to give a shock of excitement to; thrill
4.
to equip for the use of electricity; provide with electric power
Derived forms
electrifiable (eˌlectriˈfiable)
adjective
electrification (eˌlectrifiˈcation)
noun
electrifier (eˈlectriˌfier)
noun
Examples of 'electrify' in a sentence
electrify
Western routes should improve from 2017, when swathes of the line will be electrified.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was the movement that made it an electrifying performance.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It's hard to imagine him producing an electrifying performance today.
The Sun (2011)
During the scuffle, he is thrown on to the electrified line.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Wales is the only European nation besides Albania without a mile of electrified railway.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The announcement will leave us in 2017 with only 40 per cent of our railways electrified.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The line will be electrified in 2016, which will allow for longer and faster trains.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The Circle and Metropolitan lines were electrified first.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
Thankfully, the actor has pulled in the reins, producing an electrifying performance that is truly chilling.
The Sun (2006)
Wales has the distinction of being the only European nation besides Albania without a single mile of electrified railway.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
electrify
British English: electrify VERB
If people are electrified by an event or experience, it makes them feel very excited and surprised.
The world was electrified by his courage and resistance.
American English: electrify
Brazilian Portuguese: eletrizar
Chinese: 使…振奋
European Spanish: electrizar
French: électriser
German: elektrisieren
Italian: elettrizzare
Japanese: 感激させる
Korean: 깜짝 놀라게 하다
European Portuguese: eletrizar
Latin American Spanish: electrizar
Chinese translation of 'electrify'
electrify
(ɪˈlɛktrɪfaɪ)
vt
[rail network]使电(電)气(氣)化 (shǐ diànqìhuà)
(fig, = thrill) 使震惊(驚) (shǐ zhènjīng)
1 (verb)
Definition
to startle or excite intensely
The spectators were electrified by his courage.
Synonyms
thrill
The electric atmosphere both thrilled and terrified him.
shock
excite
I only take on work that excites me.
amaze
He amazed us with his knowledge of local history.
stir
I was intrigued by him, stirred by his intellect.
stimulate
I was stimulated to examine my deepest thoughts.
astonish
startle
arouse
animate
There was little about the game to animate the crowd.
rouse
He did more to rouse the crowd than anybody else.
astound
He used to astound us with feats of physical endurance.
jolt
fire
They were fired with an enthusiasm for public speaking.
galvanize
The appeal has galvanized them into taking positive action.
take your breath away
I heard this song on the radio and it just took my breath away.
Opposites
bore
,
tire
,
exhaust
,
fatigue
,
weary
,
jade
,
be tedious
,
send to sleep
2 (verb)
Definition
to provide (an area) with electricity
The west-coast line was electrified as long ago as 1974.
Synonyms
wire up
wire
supply electricity to
convert to electricity
Additional synonyms
in the sense of amaze
Definition
to fill with surprise
He amazed us with his knowledge of local history.
Synonyms
astonish,
surprise,
shock,
stun,
alarm,
stagger,
startle,
bewilder,
astound,
daze,
confound,
stupefy,
flabbergast,
bowl someone over (informal),
boggle someone's mind,
dumbfound
in the sense of animate
Definition
to make lively
There was little about the game to animate the crowd.
Synonyms
enliven,
encourage,
excite,
urge,
inspire,
stir,
spark,
move,
fire,
spur,
stimulate,
revive,
activate,
rouse,
prod,
quicken,
incite,
instigate,
kick-start (informal),
impel,
energize,
kindle,
embolden,
liven up,
breathe life into,
invigorate,
gladden,
gee up,
vitalize,
vivify,
inspirit
in the sense of astound
Definition
to overwhelm with amazement
He used to astound us with feats of physical endurance.