amp

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈamp 

1

: ampere

2

: amplifier

also : a unit consisting of an electronic amplifier and a loudspeaker

amp

2 of 3

verb

amped; amping; amps

transitive verb

1

informal : to make (someone) more excited or energetic : excite, energize

Players either get amped by the electricity of the event or founder in the ambient chaos.

—Jon Wertheim

—often used with up

When Smith came out to accept her trophy, Bieber smothered her with kisses, and then pumped his fist to amp up the crowd …

—Melissa Ruggieri

2

: to make (something) more intense : heighten, intensify

The violence is amped by the presence of automatic weapons and gyrating camerawork, but it all feels very familiar.

—Kevin Crust

—usually used with up

The fledgling studio that wound up making the film … knew that it had teenage girls in its pocket, and wisely amped up the action scenes in the trailer in an attempt to snag male viewers as well.

—Karen Valby

Roasting the pork at a low temperature in a spiced salt mixture amps up the flavor of the meat and makes it extra-tender.

—Gabrielle Hamilton

3

: to increase the amount of (something) : raise

In this convention year … the stakes have been amped.

—Charles McGrath

—usually used with up

As investors get used to steady returns, they start borrowing to amp up gains … and buying increasingly dubious stuff …

—Pat Regnier

… the producers always need to amp up the stakes, and, this season, there are a few new twists …

—Andy Edelstein

see also amped, amped-up

AMP

3 of 3

noun (2)

ˌā-ˌem-ˈpē 

: a nucleotide C₁₀H₁₂N₅O₃H₂PO₄ composed of adenosine and one phosphate group that is reversibly convertible to ADP and ATP in metabolic reactions

called also adenosine monophosphate, adenylic acid

compare cyclic amp

Synonyms

Verb

• animate
• brace
• energize
• enliven
• fillip
• fire
• ginger (up)
• invigorate
• jazz (up)
• juice up
• jump-start
• liven (up)
• pep (up)
• quicken
• spike
• stimulate
• vitalize
• vivify
• zip (up)

Examples of amp in a Sentence

Noun (1)

He plugged his guitar into the amp.

Verb

an important news story that doesn't need to be amped up with sensationalism

inflammatory rhetoric that served only to amp up the civil unrest that was overspreading the city

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

At the Tremble Club, Rodriguez amps up the booze with extra white rum and adds a fresh, sweet-but-tart raspberry float that replicates the look of blood. —Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2024

Cream cheese amps up the dreamy texture of this one. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2024

Verb

Russia did appear to amp up attempts to spread disinformation about the election on social media. —Michael Kan, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024

Simply creating a relaxed and positive learning atmosphere can amp up engagement. —William Arruda, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

by shortening

Noun (2)

adenosine monophosphate

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1985, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (2)

1943, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing amp

• amp-hour
• amp hr
• pre-amp

Kids Definition

amp

noun

ˈamp

1

: ampere

2

: amplifier

Medical Definition

amp

1 of 2 abbreviation

1

amperage

2

ampere

3

ampule

4

amputation

AMP

2 of 2 noun

ˌā-ˌem-ˈpē 

: a nucleotide C₁₀H₁₂N₅O₃H₂PO₄ that is composed of adenosine and one phosphate group and is reversibly convertible to ADP and ATP in metabolic reactions

called also adenosine monophosphate

compare cyclic amp