A hectic situation is one that is very busy and involves a lot of rushed activity.
Despite his hectic work schedule, Benny has rarely suffered poor health.
The two days we spent there were enjoyable but hectic.
Synonyms: frantic, chaotic, frenzied, heated More Synonyms of hectic
hectic in British English
(ˈhɛktɪk)
adjective
1.
characterized by extreme activity or excitement
2.
associated with, peculiar to, or symptomatic of tuberculosis (esp in the phrases hectic fever, hectic flush)
noun
3.
a hectic fever or flush
4. rare
a person who is consumptive or who experiences a hectic fever or flush
Derived forms
hectically (ˈhectically) or hecticly (ˈhecticly)
adverb
Word origin
C14: from Late Latin hecticus, from Greek hektikos habitual, from hexis state, from ekhein to have
hectic in American English
(ˈhɛktɪk)
adjective
1.
designating or of the fever accompanying wasting diseases, esp. tuberculosis
2.
of, affected with, or characteristic of a wasting disease, as tuberculosis; consumptive
3.
red or flushed, as with fever
4.
characterized by confusion, rush, excitement, etc.
Derived forms
hectically (ˈhectically)
adverb
Word origin
altered (after Fr or L) < ME etik < OFr étique (Fr hectique) < LL hecticus < Gr hektikos, habitual, hectic < hexis, permanent condition or habit of the body < echein, to have: for IE base see school1
Examples of 'hectic' in a sentence
hectic
The hectic schedule can be irksome.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Interestingly, there is no mention of fathers in this hectic schedule.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Compared with the hectic schedule of recent weeks, today is quiet.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
As a busy mum of four, life was hectic.
The Sun (2017)
The schedule has been hectic but you don't want to let it become an excuse and'you have to manage it.
The Sun (2016)
Wearside is set for another hectic summer.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We met up most days when my hectic schedule allowed.
Frankie Dettori with Jonathan Powell FRANKIE: The Autobiography of Frankie Dettori (2004)
Pals blamed hectic work schedules for end of their relationship.
The Sun (2009)
Only three years of her hectic pace was needed to burn out.
Christianity Today (2000)
On a real raid things get more hectic.
Len Deighton Bomber
We also balanced out the hectic days with more leisurely moments.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
There is a hectic student social scene.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
New faces at home could make life hectic.
The Sun (2009)
Last night he blamed a hectic work schedule for the delay.
The Sun (2015)
Perfect with a cup of tea after a hectic day on track.
The Sun (2012)
My life is so hectic that home has to be a tranquil place.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
He kept trying to arrange to meet up but we both have hectic working schedules.
The Sun (2015)
It is an extremely hectic period.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
People are getting hectic and panicked.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
And he's had a hectic summer.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
She embarked on a strict diet and exercise regime after her hectic schedule began to take its toll on her figure last year.
The Sun (2009)
The second half was a much more open affair and was decided in a hectic three-minute period.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But despite their hectic schedule, they still find time for sartorial matters.
The Sun (2013)
The champion may not agree but it spoke of a mind scrambled as a hectic summer of two meetings a day nears its end.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Pretty hectic when that happens.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
That first 25 to 30 minutes is going to get pretty hectic.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
After 24 hours of hectic activity yesterday, the two sides appear to have played out another draw.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
hectic
British English: hectic ADJECTIVE
A hectic situation is one that is very busy and involves a lot of rushed activity.
Despite his hectic work schedule, he has rarely suffered poor health.
American English: hectic
Brazilian Portuguese: agitado
Chinese: 紧张忙碌的
European Spanish: ajetreado
French: trépidant
German: hektisch
Italian: frenetico
Japanese: てんやわんやの
Korean: 매우 분주한
European Portuguese: agitado
Latin American Spanish: ajetreado
Chinese translation of 'hectic'
hectic
(ˈhɛktɪk)
adj
[schedule, pace, life etc]繁忙的 (fánmáng de)
(adjective)
Definition
involving a lot of rushed activity
The two days we spent there were enjoyable but hectic.
Synonyms
frantic
A busy night in the restaurant is frantic in the kitchen.
chaotic
frenzied
the frenzied activity of the general election
heated
It was a very heated argument.
wild
The angry crowd became quite wild and agitated.
excited
He was so excited he could hardly speak.
furious
A furious gunbattle ensued.
fevered
animated
turbulent
I had to have a boat that could handle turbulent seas.