adj
Common
charged
chahjd
Charged (adj) means Full of strong emotion or tension. Example: “The room fell silent; the atmosphere was charged.”
adj
1
Full of strong emotion or tension.
"The room fell silent; the atmosphere was charged."
"It was an emotionally charged conversation about their future."
"The meeting had a charged mood after the two colleagues argued."
2
Carrying an electric charge.
"A charged particle is deflected by a magnetic field."
"Rubbing the balloon on your hair leaves it charged with static electricity."
"A charged battery can power the torch for many hours."
How to use charged
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTense and full of emotion, or carrying electricity.
Common pairings
emotionally charged
politically charged
highly charged
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more charged
- Superlative
- most charged
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The room fell silent; the atmosphere was _____.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
uncharged
Related words
Rhymes for charged
See all rhymes for charged →Frequently asked questions
What does “charged” mean?
The word “charged” means full of strong emotion or tension. In plain terms, tense and full of emotion, or carrying electricity.
How do you pronounce “charged”?
“Charged” is pronounced chahjd (/t͡ʃɑɹd͡ʒd/ in IPA).
How do you use “charged” in a sentence?
Here is “charged” used in a sentence: “The room fell silent; the atmosphere was charged.”
What part of speech is “charged”?
“Charged” is an adjective.
Is “charged” a common word?
“Charged” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “charged” have?
“Charged” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: full of strong emotion or tension.
What does it mean when an atmosphere is charged?
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.
What is the difference between charged and tense?
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.
Is charged a positive or negative word?
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.
What is an example of charged used this way?
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.
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