What does electric mean?
Electric is an adjective with two principal senses: a literal one, describing anything that is powered by, produces, or relates to electricity — such as an electric car, an electric guitar, or an electric current — and a figurative one, describing an atmosphere, mood, or performance so charged with excitement or tension that it feels almost physically energizing, as in 'an electric silence' or 'the room turned electric.' The literal sense dominates scientific and everyday technical use, while the figurative sense flourishes in journalism, sports commentary, and creative writing, where it lends vividness and immediacy. The word derives ultimately from the Greek ēlektron, meaning amber, a substance whose static properties gave early scientists their first glimpse of electrical phenomena. Because it bridges the physical and the emotional, electric remains one of English's most versatile and evocative adjectives, equally at home in an engineering manual and a concert review.
Powered by, producing, or relating to electricity.
"They replaced the gas lamps with electric lighting."
(Of a mood, atmosphere, or performance) thrillingly intense or exciting.
"The atmosphere in the arena was absolutely electric."
Often used attributively before nouns like atmosphere, mood, or performance.
The word 'electric' comes from the Greek word for amber — because rubbing amber was how ancient Greeks first discovered static electricity.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of electric
Electric derives from the New Latin electricus, coined in the early 17th century by William Gilbert in his study of magnetism, from Latin electricus meaning 'of amber,' itself from Greek ēlektron ('amber'). The term arose because rubbing amber produces static attraction, one of humanity's earliest observed electrical effects. Related words sharing this Greek root include electron, electricity, electrify, and electrician.
Related word forms
How electric is actually used
Commonly used both literally and figuratively. In technical writing, 'electric' is preferred over 'electrical' when describing devices powered by electricity.
Easily confused with electric
'Electric' typically refers to something that runs on or produces electricity directly (an electric car), while 'electrical' more broadly pertains to the science or systems of electricity (an electrical engineer).