kinetic

adjective

ki·​net·​ic kə-ˈne-tik 

also

kī- 

1

: of or relating to the motion of material bodies and the forces and energy associated therewith

2

a

: active, lively

b

: dynamic, energizing

a kinetic performer

3

: of or relating to kinetic art

kinetically

kə-ˈne-ti-k(ə-)lē 

 also  kī-

adverb

Did you know?

Ever watch a top spin? Or see one pool ball collide with another and send it across the felt? When you do, you’re witnessing kinetic energy—the energy of something in motion. Kinetics is a branch of science that deals with the effects of forces upon the motions of material bodies, and something described as kinetic has to do with the motion of material bodies and the forces associated with them. Both words were adopted in the 19th century from the Greek word kinētikos (meaning "of motion") for use in the field of physics, but the adjective kinetic proved too apt for broader application, and by the 1930s it was being used to describe people and things full of literal and figurative energy as well.

Synonyms

• active
• airy
• animate
• animated
• bouncing
• brisk
• energetic
• frisky
• gay
• jaunty
• jazzy
• lively
• mettlesome
• peppy
• perky
• pert
• pizzazzy
• pizazzy
• racy
• snappy
• spanking
• sparky
• spirited
• sprightly
• springy
• vital
• vivacious
• zippy

Examples of kinetic in a Sentence

the novel's plot is kinetic and fast-paced, and its effect on the reader is much like that of a surfeit of caffeine

the loft district is the locus of the city's kinetic arts scene

Recent Examples on the Web

Roller coaster implosion Watch former world's tallest and fastest roller coaster being imploded 00:35 After 19 years of service at Six Flags Adventure Park in New Jersey, Kingda Ka, once the world’s tallest and fastest roller coaster, went on its final kinetic adventure. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025

There’s a kinetic L.A. noir riff, in which the studio head, donning a trench coat and fedora, takes it upon himself to investigate the disappearance of a reel of the Chinatown rip-off Olivia Wilde is directing. —Judy Berman, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025

The most likely is a kinetic impactor mission similar to NASA’s DART in 2022, which successfully nudged an asteroid and changed its orbit. —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

Dialogue is nearly nonexistent, but the film thrums with a kinetic musical rhythm. —Barry Levitt, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek kinētikos, from kinētos, from kinein — see -kinesis

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing kinetic

• kinetic art
• kinetic energy
• kinetic theory

Rhymes for kinetic

• acetic
• aesthetic
• ascetic
• athletic
• cosmetic
• diegetic
• eidetic
• emetic
• esthetic
• frenetic
• genetic
• helvetic

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Kids Definition

kinetic

adjective

ki·​net·​ic kə-ˈnet-ik 

kī-

: of or relating to the motions of material bodies and the forces and energy associated with them

Etymology

from Greek kinētikos "relating to motion," derived from kinein "to move" — related to cinema

Medical Definition

kinetic

adjective

ki·​net·​ic kə-ˈnet-ik  kī- 

: of or relating to the motion of material bodies and the forces and energy associated therewith

kinetically adverb