electric
/ɪˈlektrɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈlektrɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈlek-trik ē-/ (ame, mw) · /ɪˈlek.trɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈlek.trɪk/ (ame, ipa)
electric — adjective
- electricpositive
- more electriccomparative
- most electricsuperlative
1. describes a machine, tool, or vehicle that runs on electricity from a wall outle
describes a machine, tool, or vehicle that runs on electricity from a wall outlet or a battery pack, rather than on petrol, gas, fuel, or physical effort
Sade bought an electric kettle because she wanted hot water faster than using a stove.
collocation: electric + kitchen appliance (kettle, oven, mixer)
The hospital replaced all its old diesel vans with electric ones this year.
collocation: electric vehicle / electric van
Andrés plugged the electric drill into the wall and began fixing the shelf.
The new electric oven heats up in just three minutes.
- battery-powered
specifies the energy source as batteries rather than a wall plug, e.g. a battery-powered toy
- mains-powered
British English term for devices that plug into the main electricity supply
- manual
operated by hand rather than by electricity
- petrol-powered
runs on petrol fuel instead of electricity
文法句型
electric + noun (device, tool, vehicle)
be + electric
用法筆記
Use 'electric' (not 'electrical') for devices and machines that get their power from electricity. 'Electrical' refers to the broader field or system.
常見錯誤
2. describes things connected to the production, flow, or use of electrical energy
describes things connected to the production, flow, or use of electrical energy as a physical force — for example, the current that flows through wires, the shock you feel from a socket, or the power that lights a room
Jiwoo watched as electric charges gathered on the balloon she rubbed against her sleeve.
collocation: electric charge
An electric shock from a damaged socket can be very dangerous.
collocation: electric shock
The electric current flowing through these wires must be measured before any work begins.
Hao checked the electric meter outside his apartment every month to track their usage.
- electrical
broader term — refers to anything connected with electricity as a field, not just the energy itself; electrical wiring, electrical equipment
文法句型
electric + noun (current, shock, field, charge, power)
be + electric
用法筆記
When referring to the field of study or industry, use 'electrical' instead: 'electrical engineering', 'electrical equipment'. Use 'electric' only when describing the physical force or energy itself.
常見錯誤
3. so full of energy, emotion, and excitement that a place, event, or moment become
so full of energy, emotion, and excitement that a place, event, or moment becomes extremely lively and absorbing — like a concert where the crowd is completely caught up in the music, or a room where the tension is almost physically felt
The atmosphere in the stadium was electric after the home team scored the winning goal.
collocation: electric atmosphere
An electric silence fell over the hall as the singer walked onto the stage.
collocation: electric silence
Élise said the final scene of the play was so electric that no one coughed or moved.
The dancers gave an electric performance that had the whole theatre cheering.
- thrilling
very similar in meaning but more general — can describe a personal experience or an event; 'electric' always implies a shared, almost physical energy
- charged
emphasises tension or emotional intensity, often slightly negative; 'electric' is more positive and energetic
- electrifying
stronger and more dramatic than 'electric'; suggests a sudden jolt of excitement
文法句型
electric + abstract noun (atmosphere, performance, silence, energy)
be + electric
用法筆記
This sense is figurative, not literal — the air is not actually charged with electricity. Commonly describes public events (concerts, sports matches, political rallies) rather than personal feelings. For personal excitement use 'thrilled' or 'excited'.
常見錯誤
electric — noun
- electricsingular
- electricsplural
1. the network of wires, switches, fuses, and sockets that carries electrical power
the network of wires, switches, fuses, and sockets that carries electrical power through a building, car, or other structure
The old house needs a full rewiring of the electric before anyone can move in.
collocation: the electric (referring to the wiring system)
Vivek called an electrician after a burning smell came from the electric in his kitchen.
Damage to the car's electric meant the windows would not roll down.
The whole building's electric was upgraded last year to handle more appliances.
- wiring
more specific — refers only to the wires, not the whole system of switches and sockets
- electrical system
more formal and universal across dialects; works in both British and American English
文法句型
the electric
the + adjective + electric
用法筆記
Commonly used with a possessive or 'the' to refer to the physical wiring infrastructure. In American English, 'electrical system' or 'wiring' is preferred over 'the electric' for this sense.
常見錯誤
2. the supply of electrical power to a home or business, considered as a utility th
the supply of electrical power to a home or business, considered as a utility that can be turned on or off, paid for, or interrupted — for example, when a storm knocks out the power or when a bill is unpaid
Tamar forgot to pay the bill, so her electric was cut off for two days.
informal usage: 'the electric' meaning electricity supply
The electric went out during the typhoon, and the family had to use candles.
How much do you pay for the electric each month in your new apartment?
The landlord said that electric and water are both included in the rent.
- electricity
the standard formal term for electrical power as an energy source
- power
more general — can also mean energy from other sources; common in both formal and informal registers
文法句型
the electric
pay the electric
electric + be cut off/out
用法筆記
Informal British usage — in American English or formal writing, use 'electricity' or 'power' instead. Often interchangeable with sense 1 in everyday speech, but sense 2 focuses on the energy supply, not the physical wiring.
常見錯誤
3. a car, scooter, bicycle, or other vehicle that runs on electricity stored in rec
a car, scooter, bicycle, or other vehicle that runs on electricity stored in rechargeable batteries rather than on petrol, diesel, or other fuel
Chiara drives an electric because she wants to reduce her fuel costs.
collocation: drive/own an electric (meaning an electric vehicle)
More people in Taipei are buying electrics now that charging stations are everywhere.
Caio rented an electric for his trip around the island last summer.
The government offers a tax discount for anyone who buys an electric this year.
- EV
abbreviation for 'electric vehicle'; very common in news and technical writing
- electric car
more specific and more common in everyday speech than the standalone 'electric'
- petrol car
a car that runs on petrol fuel
- diesel car
a car that runs on diesel fuel
文法句型
an electric
the + adj + electric
buy/drive/rent an electric
用法筆記
This is a relatively recent usage (short for 'electric car' or 'electric vehicle'), most common in discussions about transportation and environmental policy. In everyday speech, the full phrase 'electric car' is still more frequent than the standalone noun 'electric'.