What does turbocharged mean?
“Turbocharged” has both a precise technical meaning and a familiar figurative one. In mechanics, it describes an engine fitted with a turbocharger: a device that uses energy from the exhaust to drive a turbine, which then compresses the engine’s incoming air and can allow it to produce more power or operate more efficiently. The same adjective is often used metaphorically for a person, performance, event, or product that feels exceptionally energetic, intense, or enhanced. In that informal sense, “turbocharged” suggests a dramatic boost rather than merely a modest improvement: “The team delivered a turbocharged second half.” It can also be used as the past tense and past participle of the verb “turbocharge,” as in “The manufacturer turbocharged the engine,” and figuratively in the same boosted, intensified sense. The word combines “turbo,” associated with turbines and rapid rotation, with “charge,” the idea of supplying extra power or force. Its technical origin is therefore mirrored neatly in its modern figurative use: something turbocharged has been given extra energy and force.
Fitted with or employing a turbocharger, especially an engine or vehicle; figuratively, exceptionally energetic, powerful, or intensified.
"The company released a turbocharged version of its most popular model."
The figurative sense is informal and commonly used in descriptions of performances, events, products, and people.
To equip or boost an engine with a turbocharger; figuratively, to make something much more powerful, dynamic, or intense.
"The engineering team turbocharged the prototype before its final test."
This is the past tense and past participle of the verb turbocharge.
A turbocharger turns exhaust energy into extra engine power: the word's mechanical meaning became its metaphor for anything given a dramatic boost.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does turbocharged come from?
The compound turbocharge developed from turbo-, ultimately associated with Latin turbo, referring to rapid rotation or a swirling motion, and charge, in the sense of supplying power or force. In early automotive use, turbocharging referred to compressing an engine’s incoming mixture using a turbine driven by exhaust gases. Modern figurative use extends this technical idea of added power and intensity to people, events, products, and performances.
Related word forms
How turbocharged is actually used
The figurative use is common in informal speech and promotional language. It is especially associated with performance, products, events, and people who seem to have been given an unusually powerful or intense boost.
Easily confused with turbocharged
Turbocharged specifically refers to using a turbocharger to compress an engine's intake air, whereas supercharged is broader and is also commonly used figuratively for extreme energy or intensity.