electrical
ih-LEHKT-rih-kuhl
Electrical (adjective) means relating to electricity or its use in devices and systems. Example: “The house needs new electrical wiring.”
adjective
1
Relating to electricity or its use in devices and systems.
"The house needs new electrical wiring."
"He studied electrical engineering at college."
"An electrical fault caused the lights in the shop to flicker."
How to use electrical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to electricity — commonly used for wiring, engineering, and equipment.
Common mistake
"Electric" often describes the device itself (an electric kettle), while "electrical" more often describes the field or system (electrical engineering, electrical fault).
Easily confused with
Common pairings
electrical engineer
electrical fault
electrical wiring
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Word forms
- Plural
- electricals
- Comparative
- more electrical
- Superlative
- most electrical
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The house needs new _____ wiring.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for electrical
See all rhymes for electrical →Frequently asked questions
What does “electrical” mean?
The word “electrical” means relating to electricity or its use in devices and systems. In plain terms, relating to electricity — commonly used for wiring, engineering, and equipment.
How do you pronounce “electrical”?
“Electrical” is pronounced ih-LEHKT-rih-kuhl (/ɪˈlɛktɹɪkəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “electrical” in a sentence?
Here is “electrical” used in a sentence: “The house needs new electrical wiring.”
What part of speech is “electrical”?
“Electrical” is an adjective.
Is “electrical” a common word?
“Electrical” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between electrical and electronic?
Electrical usually refers to systems that generate, carry, or use electric power — wiring, motors, and heaters that turn electricity into heat, light, or motion. Electronic refers to devices that control the flow of electrons to process signals or information, such as computers and phones, using components like chips and transistors.
What is the difference between electric and electrical?
"Electric" tends to describe something powered by or producing electricity directly, as in an electric car or an electric shock. "Electrical" is the broader adjective for anything relating to electricity — an electrical system, an electrical fault, an electrical engineer. When unsure, "electrical" is the safer general-purpose word.
What is an example of something electrical?
House wiring, plug sockets, fuse boxes, light switches, and appliances such as kettles and washing machines are all electrical, as are larger set-ups like a building's electrical circuit or a car's electrical system. Anything that runs on or handles electric current fits the description.
What does an electrical engineer do?
An electrical engineer designs, builds, and maintains systems that use electricity — power generation and distribution, wiring, motors, lighting, and control systems. The work ranges from national power grids down to the circuits inside everyday products, and it often overlaps with electronics.
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