hyperkinetic

adjective

hy·​per·​ki·​net·​ic ˌhī-pər-kə-ˈne-tik 

-kī-

1

: of, relating to, or affected with hyperkinesis or hyperactivity

the hyperkinetic child

2

: characterized by fast-paced or frenetic activity

a hyperkinetic movie

Did you know?

Since the prefix hyper- means "above, beyond", hyperkinetic describes motion beyond the usual. The word is usually applied to children, and often describes the condition of almost uncontrollable activity or muscular movements called attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder *(ADHD). Kids with ADHD are usually not just hyperkinetic but also inattentive, forgetful, and flighty. Though they're often treated with drugs, many experts believe there are better ways of dealing with the problem. Lots of people now shorten both *hyperactive and hyperkinetic to simply hyper ("He's been hyper all morning"), but usually don't mean it too seriously.

Synonyms

• excitable
• fiddle-footed
• flighty
• fluttery
• high-strung
• hyper
• hyperactive
• hyperexcitable
• jittery
• jumpy
• nervous
• skittery
• skittish
• spasmodic
• spooky

Examples of hyperkinetic in a Sentence

an elderly couple who are unable to control their hyperkinetic grandson

Recent Examples on the Web

Eisenberg’s performance is terrific, muted and hyperkinetic in all the right ways. —TIME, 1 Nov. 2024

Unsettled by how images of atrocities get diminished as just another picture in our hyperkinetic culture, the rapper-actor wrote a new set of verses to accompany the keening chorus from the original song. —Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2024

Meanwhile, his wife is a stylish and gracious psychiatrist whose sister married a duke; his children are a cerebral lesbian fashion model and a hyperkinetic globe-trotting DJ. —Randy Boyagoda, The Atlantic, 16 Aug. 2024

An eventual entry into the pantheon of hyperkinetic pulp creators doesn’t feel like a reach at all. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

hyperkinetic

adjective

hy·​per·​ki·​net·​ic -ˈnet-ik 

: of, relating to, or affected with hyperkinesis or hyperactivity

the hyperkinetic child