Meaning & use
energetic
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Having or showing a lot of physical or mental energy, and ready to be active.
Grammar: Can come before a noun (an energetic child) or after 'be' (he is energetic); comparative is 'more energetic'.
Patterns
- be energetic
- energetic about something
My energetic nephew ran around the park for two hours.
She gave an energetic performance that thrilled the crowd.
He is an energetic teacher who never stops moving.
adjectivebefore a noun
Done with great effort, enthusiasm and determination.
Grammar: Often describes actions or campaigns: an energetic campaign.
Patterns
- an energetic campaign
- an energetic effort
The mayor launched an energetic campaign to clean up the river.
They made an energetic attempt to fix the problem.
An energetic marketing drive boosted sales.
Word forms
| comparative | more energetic |
|---|---|
| superlative | most energetic |
Common combinations
- highly energetic
- The puppy is highly energetic.
- an energetic performance
- The band gave an energetic performance.
- energetic exercise
- Energetic exercise helps you sleep.
- remain energetic
- She remains energetic at eighty.
- an energetic campaign
- They ran an energetic campaign.
Synonyms and how they differ
- lively
- Lively suggests spirited and cheerful, while energetic suggests actual physical drive.
- vigorous
- Vigorous implies strong, healthy force and is a bit more formal than energetic.
- active
- Active simply means doing things, with no notion of high energy.
- dynamic
- Dynamic describes a person full of ideas and drive, often in business, rather than only physical vigor.
Opposites
Word family
- energy noun
- the power to be active
- energetically adverb
- in a lively, forceful way
- energize verb
- to give energy to
- energy-saving adjective
- using less power
Commonly confused: energetic or energizing?
energetic vs energizing
Energizing describes something that gives you energy, while energetic describes someone who has a lot of it.
Practice
Hamid felt rested and ___ after a week at the seaside.
Choose one answer.
Energetic fits someone rested and ready to be active. Lethargic, exhausted and drowsy mean the opposite.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “energetic”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.