electricity
C1 (High Frequency)Neutral to formal. Common in technical, academic, business, and everyday contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A form of energy resulting from the existence of charged particles (such as electrons or protons), either statically as an accumulation of charge or dynamically as a current.
The supply of electric current to a building for heating, lighting, or powering machines. By extension, a feeling of excitement, tension, or energy.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is a non-count noun. It can refer to the physical phenomenon, the utility supply, or a metaphorical quality (excitement).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal lexical difference for the core meaning. The utility company is more often called an 'electricity supplier' or 'electricity board' in the UK and a 'power company' or 'utility' in the US. The metaphorical use ('electricity in the air') is equally common.
Connotations
Identical for the physical phenomenon and utility. The metaphorical sense carries the same connotations of excitement or tension.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [NOUN] runs on electricity.There is no electricity in the [PLACE].[SUBJECT] generates electricity from [SOURCE].The electricity was cut off.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “feel the electricity (in the air)”
- “like a bolt of electricity”
- “the electricity was palpable”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Negotiating contracts with electricity suppliers; reporting on electricity costs.
Academic
Discussing the physics of electromagnetism; analysing electricity generation methods.
Everyday
Paying the electricity bill; complaining about a power cut.
Technical
Calculating voltage, current, and resistance; designing electrical circuits.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They are working to electrify the railway line.
- The performance electrified the audience.
American English
- The company plans to electrify its vehicle fleet.
- His speech electrified the crowd.
adverb
British English
- The car runs electrically for short distances.
- He smiled electrically, full of nervous energy.
American English
- The vehicle is powered electrically.
- The connection between them felt electrically charged.
adjective
British English
- We need an electrician to fix the electric socket.
- The atmosphere was electric before the match.
American English
- Make sure the electric circuit is properly grounded.
- The debate created an electric tension in the room.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The lamp uses electricity.
- Our electricity bill is high this month.
- Lightning is a form of electricity.
- Wind turbines can generate clean electricity.
- There was a power cut, so we had no electricity for two hours.
- Don't touch the wires—you could get an electric shock.
- The country aims to produce all its electricity from renewable sources by 2040.
- The static electricity made her hair stand on end.
- You could feel the electricity in the air as the winner was announced.
- The physics lecture delved into the fundamental properties of electricity and magnetism.
- The intermittent electricity supply severely hampered the factory's productivity.
- His ideas conducted through the academic community like electricity, sparking fierce debate.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an ELECTRIC eel giving you a TIS (like a jolt) of CIT (city) power. 'The eel's CIT-y power is ELECTRICITY'.
Conceptual Metaphor
ELECTRICITY IS A FLUID (flow, current, conduct); ELECTRICITY IS A LIVE BEING (alive, dead, shock); EXCITEMENT IS ELECTRICITY (spark, charge, electric atmosphere).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating Russian 'ток' (current) directly as 'electricity' in all contexts. 'Electricity' is the general phenomenon/energy, while 'current' (ток) is the flow. 'Отключили свет' is best translated as 'The power was cut off' or 'The electricity was cut off', not 'The light was disconnected'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'an electricity' ❌). Incorrect article use (e.g., 'the electricity' when speaking generally). Confusing 'electric', 'electrical', and 'electronic'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a typical collocation with 'electricity'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is almost always an uncountable (mass) noun. You cannot say 'an electricity' or 'two electricities' when referring to the energy form.
'Electric' typically describes things that directly use or produce electricity (electric car, electric shock). 'Electrical' is more general, often relating to the broader field or system (electrical engineering, electrical fault).
Yes, it is commonly used metaphorically to describe a tense or exciting atmosphere, e.g., 'There was electricity in the room when they argued.'
It is a stationary electric charge, typically produced by friction, which causes sparks, crackling, or the attraction of dust or hair.
Collections
Part of a collection
Science and Technology
B1 · 47 words · Basic scientific concepts and modern technology.