energy
C1 (Very High Frequency)Neutral, used across all registers from casual to highly technical scientific contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The capacity or power to do work, cause change, or produce heat; vitality or intensity of action or expression.
In physics, a quantifiable scalar property of a system; in common usage, refers to personal vitality, enthusiasm, or the resources (like fuel) that provide power.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word bridges concrete scientific measurement and abstract human qualities. It can be countable ('energies') when referring to types or sources, or uncountable when referring to the general concept.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Slight preference in British English for 'energy' in domestic contexts (e.g., 'energy supplier'), while American English may use 'power' more interchangeably in some utility contexts.
Connotations
Identical core meaning. In political/environmental discourse, 'energy' has the same strong connotations (security, transition, policy).
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both variants.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[have/possess] + energy + [to-infinitive][require/need] + energy + [for NP][devote/direct] + energy + [to NP/V-ing][be] + low/high + on energyVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A well of energy”
- “Bounce off the walls (with energy)”
- “Get a second wind (renewed energy)”
- “Burning the candle at both ends (using too much energy)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the sector (energy industry), costs (energy prices), or efficiency (energy-saving measures).
Academic
A precise scientific term with formal definitions (joules, kinetic/potential/thermal energy).
Everyday
Describes personal vitality ('I have no energy today') or fuel/electricity ('the energy bill is due').
Technical
Used in physics, engineering, chemistry, and environmental science with rigorous parameters and units.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The team needs to energy their efforts into the final quarter.
- (Note: 'energise' is the standard verb)
American English
- We must energy our approach to reach new markets.
- (Note: 'energize' is the standard verb)
adverb
British English
- The system functions energy-efficiently.
- He moved energetically around the stage.
American English
- The new design runs more energy-efficiently.
- She campaigned energetically for the cause.
adjective
British English
- The energy sector is undergoing a massive transformation.
- She has an energy drink before her workout.
American English
- The energy policy debate is highly partisan.
- He's looking for an energy-efficient appliance.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Children have a lot of energy.
- The sun gives us light and energy.
- I need food for energy.
- We should save energy by turning off lights.
- He put all his energy into finishing the project.
- Renewable energy is better for the environment.
- The government is investing in green energy initiatives.
- Despite her illness, she faced each day with remarkable energy.
- The debate lacked energy and failed to engage the audience.
- The physicist explained the law of conservation of energy with elegant simplicity.
- The company's aggressive expansion was driven by the CEO's formidable entrepreneurial energy.
- Geopolitical tensions often centre on control of energy resources.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a battery with 'E N G' written on it, powering a gym (GYM). E-N-G in the GYM = ENERGY.
Conceptual Metaphor
ENERGY IS A FLUID (channel energy, reservoir of energy); ENERGY IS A COMMODITY (save energy, invest energy, waste energy); ENERGY IS A LIVING FORCE (vibrant energy, positive energy).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'energy' as a direct translation for 'энтузиазм' (enthusiasm) in all contexts, e.g., 'his energy for the project' might be better as 'his enthusiasm'.
- Remember 'энергия' is feminine in Russian, but 'energy' in English has no gender.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'energetic' as a noun ('He is an energetic' X). It's an adjective. 'He is energetic' or 'He has energy'.
- Treating it as always uncountable ('an energy' X). It is uncountable for the general concept, but countable for types: 'Solar and wind are two different energies.'
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a correct countable use of 'energy'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily uncountable (e.g., 'She has incredible energy'). It becomes countable when referring to distinct types or sources (e.g., 'The country is exploring multiple renewable energies like wind and solar').
In physics, 'energy' is the capacity to do work, while 'power' is the rate at which energy is transferred or used (energy per unit time). In everyday language, they are often used interchangeably, though 'power' can more strongly imply control or authority ('political power').
The key difference is in the second syllable. In British English, it's a schwa /ə/ ('en-uh-jee'). In American English, it's an 'r-colored' schwa /ɚ/ ('en-er-jee'). Stress is always on the first syllable: EN-er-gy / EN-uh-gy.
Yes. While often positive (vitality), it can be negative when referring to intense, unpleasant force (e.g., 'the destructive energy of the hurricane', 'there was a lot of negative energy in the room after the argument').
Collections
Part of a collection
Environment
B1 · 47 words · Nature, ecology and environmental issues.
Science and Technology
B1 · 47 words · Basic scientific concepts and modern technology.