hyperactive
|hy/per/ac/tive|
B2
/ˌhaɪpərˈæktɪv/
excessively active
Etymology
Etymology Information
'hyperactive' originates from Greek, specifically the prefix 'hyper-' meaning 'over' or 'beyond', and the word 'active' from Latin 'activus', meaning 'engaged in action'.
Historical Evolution
'hyperactive' was formed in the 20th century by combining the Greek prefix 'hyper-' with the Latin-derived word 'active'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'overly active', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
excessively active or too active.
The child was diagnosed as hyperactive and needed special attention in school.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/14 20:33