powered

IPA/ˈpaʊəd/
KK[pˈaʊɚd]IPA/ˈpaʊərd/

powered — adjective

  • poweredpositive
  • more poweredcomparative
  • most poweredsuperlative

1. driven by a specific kind of fuel or power source (electricity, batteries, gas,

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

driven by a specific kind of fuel or power source (electricity, batteries, gas, etc.) instead of by hand

Example

João bought a battery-powered toy car for his young nephew's birthday.

compound: [energy source]-powered + concrete noun (toy car)

The solar-powered lights along the garden path stayed bright all night.

Common collocations
  • battery-powered
  • solar-powered
  • gas-powered
  • powered wheelchair
  • powered tools
Synonyms
  • motorized

    specifically implies a motor or engine; narrower than powered

  • electric

    only for electricity-driven devices; more specific than powered

  • automated

    focuses on self-operation rather than energy source; overlaps partially with powered

Antonyms
  • manual

    operated by hand, without external energy

  • unpowered

    without any energy source; not driven by electricity or fuel

Grammar Patterns

[energy source]-powered + noun

powered + noun

Usage Note

Often used as the second element of a compound adjective (battery-powered, solar-powered), but may also appear alone before a noun (a powered wheelchair) to contrast with manual equipment. Do not confuse with powerful, which describes strength or force.

Common Mistakes

This drill is very powered.
This drill is very powerful.
'powered' describes the energy source, not the strength; use 'powerful' for force or intensity.
I bought a powered charger.
I bought a battery-powered charger.
When the energy type matters, use the compound form with the specific source.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe devices that operate using some form of energy rather than by hand, but they differ in scope and focus. 'Powered' is the broadest term — it covers any external energy source, including electricity, gas, batteries, or solar energy. 'Motorized' is narrower: it means equipped with a motor (usually an engine that burns fuel or runs on electricity). 'Electric' is specific to devices that run on electricity alone, whether from a plug or a battery. 'Automated' shifts the focus from energy to control — it means a machine operates without constant human input (e.g. an automated gate). 'Mechanical' refers to moving parts and gears; a device can be mechanical without being powered (a manual egg beater is mechanical). For example, a 'gas-powered lawn mower' is also motorized, but a 'solar-powered garden light' is not motorized. An 'electric kettle' is powered and electric but not automated; an 'automated sprinkler system' is powered, electric, and automated at the same time.

motorized ↗electric ↗automated ↗mechanical ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • battery-
  • solar-
  • gas-
  • electric-
  • nuclear-
  • wind-

Phrases

  • powered by electricity
  • powered by solar energy
  • powered by gas

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

'Powered' comes from the noun 'power', which entered English from Old French 'povoir/poeir' (meaning 'to be able'), derived from Latin 'potere', a variant of 'posse' ('to be able'). The suffix '-ed' turns the noun into an adjective meaning 'having or using power'. The sense of being 'operated by a specific energy source' became common during the Industrial Revolution, when machines driven by steam, gas, or electricity replaced manual labour.