electric
B1General, Technical
Definition
Meaning
Of, worked by, or producing electricity.
Exciting; thrilling; causing intense emotion.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As an adjective, it describes things powered by or producing electricity (literal). It also has a common figurative meaning describing an atmosphere charged with excitement or tension.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Electric' is standard in both. The compound nouns using 'electric' (e.g., 'electric cooker', 'electric train') may show minor frequency differences.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both varieties for both literal and figurative senses.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
electric + noun (electric car)highly/very electric (figurative)be electric with + noun (figurative)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “electric atmosphere”
- “like an electric shock”
- “spark something electric”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The company is investing heavily in electric vehicle infrastructure."
Academic
"The experiment measured the electric potential across the membrane."
Everyday
"We need to buy an electric kettle for the new flat."
Technical
"The electric field strength is measured in volts per metre."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The announcement electrified the audience.
- They plan to electrify the entire railway network by 2040.
American English
- Her performance electrified the crowd.
- The city council voted to electrify the public bus fleet.
adverb
British English
- The car runs electrically.
- The system is powered electrically.
American English
- The vehicle operates electrically.
- The device functions electrically.
adjective
British English
- We installed an electric cooker.
- The atmosphere in the stadium was electric after the goal.
American English
- They bought an electric stove.
- The debate created an electric tension in the room.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My new phone has an electric charger.
- The lamp needs an electric plug.
- We are considering buying an electric car to save money on fuel.
- The singer created an electric atmosphere at the concert.
- The government's new policy aims to phase out petrol vehicles in favour of electric ones.
- His speech had an electric effect on the crowd, energising them for the campaign ahead.
- The sudden shift in the negotiations generated an electric charge of anticipation among the delegates.
- Harnessing electric potential from renewable sources is central to the nation's energy strategy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of ELECTRIC as ELEC (like electron) + TRIC (like trick). Electricity can 'trick' objects into moving!
Conceptual Metaphor
ENERGY IS ELECTRICITY (e.g., 'The crowd was electric'), EXCITEMENT IS AN ELECTRICAL CHARGE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'electric' for 'electrical engineer' (it's 'electrical'), but 'electric car' is correct.
- Do not confuse with 'electronic' (электронный). 'Electric' relates to power, 'electronic' relates to devices with microchips.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'electrical' as a noun (*an electrical*). 'Electrical' is only an adjective.
- Confusing 'electric' and 'electronic'. An electric toothbrush is powered by electricity; an electronic toothbrush has digital controls.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'electric' used in a figurative sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Electric' is used for specific things that produce, carry, or are powered by electricity (electric car, electric shock). 'Electrical' is more general, relating to the field or profession (electrical engineer, electrical fault).
Yes, figuratively. An 'electric atmosphere' means one that is thrilling, tense, and full of excitement.
Primarily an adjective. It is not standard to use it as a countable noun (e.g., 'an electric'). The noun form is 'electricity' or specific terms like 'electrical appliance'.
In both British and American English, it is pronounced /ɪˈlɛktrɪk/, with the stress on the second syllable: 'ee-LEK-trik'.
Collections
Part of a collection
Transport
A2 · 48 words · Ways of getting from place to place.