electrify

verb

elec·​tri·​fy i-ˈlek-trə-ˌfī How to pronounce electrify (audio)
ē-
electrified; electrifying

transitive verb

1
a
: to charge with electricity
b(1)
: to equip for use of electric power
(2)
: to supply with electric power
(3)
: to amplify (music) electronically
2
: to excite intensely or suddenly
the news electrified the nation

Examples of electrify in a Sentence

Many of the rural areas still aren't electrified. The news electrified the nation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The show electrifies your senses — and the sound is cutting-edge To create an enveloping experience, Cercle Odyssey taps into your senses, including smell via a machine that sprays handcrafted fragrances to match the scenery and music. Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025 This spring, Lyft — the rideshare giant that operates the bike-share program under contract to the city — will be electrifying 13 additional existing Citi Bike dock locations, three in Brooklyn, 10 in Manhattan. Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 5 May 2025 Pugh electrified the red carpet in Los Angeles earlier this week, stepping out on Monday, April 28, in a mint-green gown from Alexander McQueen's Fall 2025 Ready-to-Wear Collection. Jen Juneau, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025 The first risk of electrifying everything is meeting the huge extra demand for electrons. Javier Blas/bloomberg Opinion, Boston Herald, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for electrify

Word History

First Known Use

1745, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of electrify was in 1745

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Electrify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electrify. Accessed 17 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

electrify

verb
elec·​tri·​fy i-ˈlek-trə-ˌfī How to pronounce electrify (audio)
electrified; electrifying
1
a
: to charge with electricity
b
: to equip for use of electric power or supply with electric power
2
: to cause to feel great or sudden excitement : thrill
electrified the audience
electrification
-ˌlek-trə-fə-ˈkā-shən
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on electrify

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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