energy
EHN-uh-jee
Energy (noun) means the capacity to do work or produce change, such as heat, light, or motion. Example: “Solar panels convert sunlight into electrical energy.”
noun
1
The capacity to do work or produce change, such as heat, light, or motion.
"Solar panels convert sunlight into electrical energy."
"A moving car has kinetic energy, which turns into heat when the brakes are applied."
"Wind turbines turn the energy of moving air into electricity."
2
Physical or mental vigour and liveliness.
"She approached every task with boundless energy."
"He didn't have the energy to argue anymore."
"The toddler has so much energy that she runs around the garden all morning."
3
The general mood, feel, or atmosphere of a place or interaction.
"The room had great energy after the announcement."
"There was a friendly energy in the cafe on Saturday morning."
"The tense energy in the meeting made everyone speak quietly."
How to use energy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe scientific power to do work, or informally, liveliness or the "vibe" of a place or person.
Common pairings
renewable energy
burn energy
positive energy
energy levels
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Word forms
- Plural
- energies
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Solar panels convert sunlight into electrical _____.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek enérgeia ("activity"), from energós ("active"), from en- ("in") + érgon ("work"). The physics sense was coined by English scientist Thomas Young in 1802.
Class of 1802
energy joined the language around 1802.
See the full Class of 1802 →
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for energy
See all rhymes for energy →Frequently asked questions
What does “energy” mean?
The word “energy” means the capacity to do work or produce change, such as heat, light, or motion. In plain terms, the scientific power to do work, or informally, liveliness or the "vibe" of a place or person.
How do you pronounce “energy”?
“Energy” is pronounced EHN-uh-jee (/ˈɛn.əɹ.dʒi/ in IPA).
How do you use “energy” in a sentence?
Here is “energy” used in a sentence: “Solar panels convert sunlight into electrical energy.”
What part of speech is “energy”?
“Energy” is a noun.
Where does the word “energy” come from?
The word “energy” dates back to around 1802 and comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek enérgeia ("activity"), from energós ("active"), from en- ("in") + érgon ("work"). The physics sense was coined by English scientist Thomas Young in 1802.
Is “energy” a common word?
“Energy” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “energy” have?
“Energy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the capacity to do work or produce change, such as heat, light, or motion.
What are the different types of energy?
Energy takes many forms, including kinetic energy (movement), potential energy (stored position), thermal (heat), chemical, electrical, light, sound, and nuclear energy. These are often grouped as either kinetic or potential. One form can change into another — for example, the chemical energy in fuel becoming heat and motion.
Can energy be created or destroyed?
No. The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another or transferred between objects. The total amount in a closed system stays constant. When energy seems to disappear, it has usually turned into heat or another form.
What is the difference between energy and power?
Energy is the capacity to do work; power is the rate at which that energy is used or transferred. Energy is measured in joules, power in watts, where one watt is one joule per second. A powerful device uses energy quickly; a low-power one uses the same energy over longer.
What is an example of energy?
The heat and light from the sun, the motion of a moving car, the electricity powering your home, and the chemical store held in food or fuel are all everyday examples. Each represents a capacity to do work or cause change, which is what energy fundamentally means.
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