electric

i-LEK-trik/ɪˈlɛktɹɪk/

Noun pluralelectrics (some meanings)

6 meanings of electric

1
powered by electricityadjective
Using or connected with electricity, including musical instruments that make their sound louder with electricity.
Like a toy car that needs batteries instead of a push to move.
An electric fence keeps the cattle from wandering off.
She charged her electric scooter overnight.
UsageSay electric for most things that use electricity (an electric car). Electrical is usual for jobs and problems (an electrical fault).
Note
2
power supplynouncolloquialuncountablewith the
The electricity that powers the lights and machines in a building.
Someone forgot to pay the electric this month.
The storm knocked out the electric for several hours.
UsageUsed about bills: pay the electric. In careful writing, say electricity.
Similarelectricity, power
3
nouncolloquialcountable
A short name for something that runs on electricity, such as an electric car, train, or toothbrush.
He swapped his old diesel car for an electric.
There were electric vehicles around, but four-wheel drive electrics were pretty damned rare, and the snow was deep enough to stop anything that didn't have a minimum of four big wheels spinning at all times.
2004, Dennis Barton, Red Star 4: VictoryHere, electrics means vehicles that run on electricity.
Note
4
thrillingadjectivefiguratively
Very exciting in a way that fills people with strong feeling.
Like the buzz you feel just before something amazing happens.
The atmosphere in the stadium was electric after the winning goal.
Her speech created an electric mood across the whole room.
UsageOften used about a mood: the atmosphere was electric.
Similarelectrifying, thrilling, exciting, charged
Oppositedull, flat
Note

Less common meanings

5
static materialnounarchaic
A material like amber or glass that can hold a charge but does not let it flow through.
Note
6
noun
A kind of fencing that uses wires and a box to show when a hit lands.

Practice

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Origin

It comes from New Latin ēlectricus, meaning 'of amber', from a Greek word for amber. In 1600 William Gilbert used the Latin word to mean 'electrical'.