charged

The word “charged” means full of strong emotion or tension. In plain terms, tense and full of emotion, or carrying electricity.

“Charged” is pronounced chahjd (/t͡ʃɑɹd͡ʒd/ in IPA).

Here is “charged” used in a sentence: “The room fell silent; the atmosphere was charged.”

“Charged” is an adjective.

“Charged” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Charged” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: full of strong emotion or tension.

A charged atmosphere is one thick with strong emotion or tension, where feelings are running high and the mood feels intense, even electric. It suggests that something significant is happening or about to happen — anticipation, hostility or excitement — so the air seems to crackle with energy that could spill over.

Tense describes strain and anxiety — a situation stretched tight, uneasy and uncomfortable. Charged is broader and more electric: full of powerful feeling that might be excitement, anger or anticipation, not just nervousness. A tense room feels braced for trouble; a charged room feels alive with intense emotion of any kind.

Neither by itself. In this sense charged simply signals heightened emotion or tension, and context decides the tone. A charged concert crowd can be thrillingly positive, while a politically charged argument can turn hostile. The word tells you the feeling is intense, not whether it is good or bad.

You might read that 'the courtroom was emotionally charged as the verdict was read', or that a debate was 'politically charged'. Both describe a scene loaded with strong feeling and tension. Another example: 'There was a charged silence between them,' meaning the quiet was heavy with unspoken emotion.