Energy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈe-nər-jē/ en·er·gy

Meaning & Definition of Energy

Energy (noun)

  1. dynamic quality
  2. the capacity of acting or being active
  3. a usually positive spiritual force

Energy (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a spiritual force that is held to emanate from or give animation to living beings

    "many Eastern cultures believe in the significance of life energy in the healing process"

    similar: aura, chi, ki, vibe(s), vibration(s)
    related: inner light, light, nature, orgone, soul, spirit, élan vital, life, lifeblood, Shakti, world soul, karma, mana

  2. active strength of body or mind

    "for a woman of advanced years, she has remarkable energy"

    similar: beans, bounce, brio, dash, drive, dynamism, esprit, gas, get-up-and-go, ginger, go, gusto, hardihood, juice, life, moxie, oomph, pep, punch, sap, snap, starch, verve, vigor, vim, vinegar, vitality, zing, zip
    related: animal spirits, animation, briskness, jauntiness, liveliness, snappiness, spirit, spiritedness, sprightliness, spunk, spunkiness, vibrance, vibrancy, vivaciousness, vivacity, ardor, élan, fervor, fire, passion, zeal, main, metal, mettle, might, muscle, potency, power, puissance, stamina, strength, brawniness, fitness, hardiness, huskiness, sturdiness, virility, health, healthiness, soundness, verdure, wellness
    opposite: lethargy, listlessness, sluggishness, torpidity
    near: indolence, laziness, debilitation, debility, delicacy, disablement, enfeeblement, faintness, feebleness, frailness, frailty, impotence, impotency, infirmity, powerlessness, puniness, slightness, softness, tenderness, weakness, enervation, exhaustion, inanition, prostration

  3. something with a usable capacity for doing work

    "some of the power needs of the house are provided by solar energy"

    similar: fuel, power
    related: kindling, propellant, force

  4. the ability to exert effort for the accomplishment of a task

    "I'm so tired that I don't think I have the energy to take another step"

    similar: firepower, force, horsepower, might, muscle, potence, potency, power, puissance, sinew, strength, vigor
    related: aptitude, capability, capacity, competence, competency, adequacy, effectiveness, effectualness, usefulness
    opposite: impotence, impotency, powerlessness, weakness
    near: disability, inability, inaptitude, incapability, incapableness, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency, ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness, inefficaciousness, inefficacy, uselessness, helplessness, paralysis

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Energy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Energy:

aura, chi, ki, vibe(s), vibration(s), beans, bounce, brio, dash, drive, dynamism, esprit, gas, get-up-and-go, ginger, go, gusto, hardihood, juice, life, moxie, oomph, pep, punch, sap, snap, starch, verve, vigor, vim, vinegar, vitality, zing, zip, fuel, power, firepower, force, horsepower, might

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Energy

Words with the opposite meaning of Energy:

lethargy, listlessness, sluggishness, torpidity, impotence, impotency, powerlessness, weakness

Related Words for Energy

inner light, light, nature, orgone, soul, spirit, élan vital, lifeblood, Shakti, world soul, karma, mana, animal spirits, animation, briskness, jauntiness, liveliness, snappiness, spiritedness, sprightliness, spunk, spunkiness, vibrance, vibrancy, vivaciousness, vivacity, ardor, élan, fervor, fire

Near Antonyms of Energy

indolence, laziness, debilitation, debility, delicacy, disablement, enfeeblement, faintness, feebleness, frailness, frailty, infirmity, puniness, slightness, softness, tenderness, enervation, exhaustion, inanition, prostration, disability, inability, inaptitude, incapability, incapableness, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency, ineffectiveness, ineffectuality

Word Forms of Energy

Inflections: energies

Origin & Etymology of Energy

Late Latin energia, from Greek energeia activity, from energos active, from en in + ergon work work

First known use: 1783

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Energy

Words & Phrases Containing Energy

energy drink, energy level, activation energy, alternative energy, binding energy, conservation of energy, dark energy, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, high-energy

Frequently Asked Questions about Energy

What does "Energy" mean?

"Energy" means dynamic quality. As a noun, it is defined as: dynamic quality. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Energy"?

Other words for "Energy" include aura, chi, ki, vibe(s), vibration(s), beans, bounce and brio. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Energy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Energy"?

There are 104 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Energy". Common alternatives include aura, chi, ki, vibe(s), vibration(s), beans, bounce, brio, dash and drive.

What is the opposite of "Energy"?

Antonyms of "Energy" include lethargy, listlessness, sluggishness, torpidity, impotence, impotency, powerlessness and weakness. Near antonyms include indolence, laziness, debilitation and debility.

How do you use "Energy" in a sentence?

Examples of "Energy" in a sentence: "many Eastern cultures believe in the significance of life energy in the healing process"; "for a woman of advanced years, she has remarkable energy"; "some of the power needs of the house are provided by solar energy".

Is "Energy" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Energy" is a noun.

Is "Energy" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Energy" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Energy"?

"Energy" is pronounced /ˈe-nər-jē/ and divided into syllables as en·er·gy.