electricity

electricity — noun

1. energy carried by the movement of charged particles through wires or cables, use

1.nounA2
Definition

energy carried by the movement of charged particles through wires or cables, used for running lights, machines, and household appliances

Example

The storm knocked down power lines, cutting electricity to the whole neighbourhood.

collocation: cut off electricity

Daichi switched off the lights to save electricity while he was out.

collocation: save electricity

Common collocations
  • cut off electricity
  • save electricity
  • electricity bill
  • electricity goes out
  • have access to electricity
  • electricity supply
  • generate electricity
  • run on electricity
  • powered by electricity
Synonyms
  • power

    more general; often used interchangeably in everyday conversation but technically refers to the rate of energy use

  • current

    more technical; refers specifically to the flow of electric charge through a conductor

  • energy

    broader term covering all forms (heat, light, kinetic); not limited to electrical power

Usage Note

Uncountable noun — never use 'an electricity' when referring to the energy source. Very common in phrases like 'electricity bill,' 'electricity supply,' and 'cut off the electricity.'

Common Mistakes

The electricity are expensive in this city.
Electricity is expensive in this city.
'electricity' is uncountable and takes a singular verb.
I need to buy an electricity for my new apartment.
I need to get electricity connected to my new apartment.
'electricity' is uncountable and does not take the indefinite article.

2. a strong feeling of nervous excitement and emotional energy that fills a place o

2.nounB2
Definition

a strong feeling of nervous excitement and emotional energy that fills a place or group of people, for example at a concert, a sports event, or an important meeting

Example

There was an electricity in the crowd as they waited for the band to start.

often used as 'an electricity' for a shared feeling

You could feel the electricity between the two actors in their first scene together.

Common collocations
  • electricity in the air
  • an electricity filled the room
  • feel the electricity
  • create an electricity
  • nervous electricity
Synonyms
  • excitement

    the direct synonym; more common and less dramatic than 'electricity'

  • tension

    focuses on nervous anticipation rather than positive excitement

  • energy

    broader; can describe the lively atmosphere without the electric/spark connotation

Antonyms
  • stillness

    the absence of excited energy in a room or crowd

  • calm

    a relaxed atmosphere with no heightened emotion

Usage Note

Often used with the indefinite article 'an': 'an electricity filled the room.' This sense describes the atmosphere or feeling shared by a group, not a person's individual emotion — you would not say 'I felt an electricity' for your own personal excitement.

Common Mistakes

I felt an electricity when I passed the exam.
I felt a rush of excitement when I passed the exam.
'electricity' in this sense describes a shared atmosphere, not personal emotion.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Electricity, power, energy, current, and charge are related but distinct in English. Electricity is the general term for the energy carried by moving electrons through wires. Power is the rate at which electricity is used — a toaster uses more power than a phone charger. Energy is broader, covering all forms (heat, light, fuel), so 'solar energy' is correct but 'solar electricity' is not unless referring to photovoltaic output. Current is the flow of electric charge measured in amperes — you would say 'this wire carries too much current.' Charge is the quantity of electricity stored, measured in coulombs — 'your phone battery holds a charge.' In casual speech, 'turn off the power' and 'turn off the electricity' are interchangeable, but scientists keep the terms precise.

power ↗energy ↗current ↗charge ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • run on electricity
  • powered by electricity
  • cut off the electricity
  • provide electricity to

Etymology

LatinNew LatinEnglish

The word 'electricity' traces back to the Latin 'electrum,' meaning amber. Ancient Greeks observed that rubbing amber with fur produced a static charge that attracted light objects — the first known human encounter with electrical force. The adjective 'electric' was coined in the 1600s by the English scientist William Gilbert, and 'electricity' followed in the 1640s as the noun for the phenomenon itself.