DC
1 antonym for DC — opposites grouped by meaning.
Abbreviation — Direct current: an electric current that flows steadily in one direction, of the kind supplied by batteries, solar panels and USB chargers.
Antonyms
How to use DC
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
DC power
DC voltage
AC/DC converter
12V DC
Washington, DC
The electrical sense is technical but everyday; the geographical sense is standard in American writing.
Etymology
An initialism, in the electrical sense of direct current and in the geographical sense of District of Columbia.
Full origin of DC →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between AC and DC?
DC (direct current) flows in one constant direction at a steady voltage, as it does from a battery. AC (alternating current) reverses direction many times a second, which makes it easy to step up and down with transformers, so it is what mains electricity uses.
Should DC be written with full stops?
Both DC and D.C. are correct. British style generally drops the stops; American style keeps them in Washington, D.C., though modern usage increasingly writes DC.
Why do phones and laptops need adapters?
They run on low-voltage DC, but the mains supplies high-voltage AC, so the power brick converts and steps the supply down.
