Standard Lemma guide

energize

verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈɛnəd͡ʒaɪz/
  • Canada, General-American: /ˈɛnɚd͡ʒaɪz/
  • Midwestern-US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • Australian: /ˈenəd͡ʒɑɪz/
  • New-Zealand: /ˈenəd͡ʒaɪz/
  • CMU ARPABET: EH1 N ER0 JH AY2 Z Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To invigorate; to make energetic.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To supply with energy, especially electricity; to turn on power to (something).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Whenever we energize that circuit we blow a fuse.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To use strength in action; to act or operate with force or vigor; to act in producing an effect.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive, obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

cause to be alert and energetic

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Coffee and tea stimulate me
  • This herbal infusion doesn't stimulate

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: stimulate, arouse, brace, energise, perk up

Antonyms: de-energize

Broader terms: affect

Narrower terms: cathect, animate, recreate, reanimate, revive, renovate, repair, quicken, vivify, revivify, invigorate, reinvigorate, enliven, liven, liven up

5

verb

Meaning 5

raise to a higher energy level

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • excite the atoms

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: excite, energise

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change, alter, modify

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h1én Ancient Greek ἐν (en) Ancient Greek ἐν- (en-) Proto-Indo-European *werǵ- Proto-Indo-European *-om Proto-Indo-European *wérǵom Proto-Hellenic *wérgon Ancient Greek ἔργον (érgon) Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Hellenic *-os Ancient Greek -ος (-os) Ancient Greek ἐνεργός (energós) Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *-ēs Ancient Greek -ης (-ēs) Ancient Greek -ής (-ḗs) Ancient Greek ἐνεργής (energḗs) Proto-Indo-European *-is Proto-Indo-European *-h2 Proto-Indo-European *-ih2der. Ancient Greek -ιᾰ (-iă) Ancient Greek ἐνέργεια (enérgeia)bor. Late Latin energīader. Middle French énergieder. English energy Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō)bor. Late Latin -izōder. Middle French -iserbor. Middle English -isen English -ize English energize From energy + -ize.

Across languages

Translations

31 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Arabic: نَشَّطَ (naššaṭa) — to invigorate, to make energetic
  • Arabic: قَوَّى (qawwā) — to invigorate, to make energetic
  • Bulgarian: стимулирам (stimuliram) — to invigorate, to make energetic
  • Bulgarian: възбуждам (vǎzbuždam) — to invigorate, to make energetic
  • Finnish: elävöittää — to invigorate, to make energetic
  • Finnish: elvyttää — to invigorate, to make energetic
  • Finnish: piristää — to invigorate, to make energetic
  • Finnish: virkistää — to invigorate, to make energetic
  • Finnish: energisoida — to invigorate, to make energetic
  • Irish: fuinnmhigh — to invigorate, to make energetic
  • Italian: energizzare — to invigorate, to make energetic
  • Italian: rinvigorire — to invigorate, to make energetic
  • Italian: rafforzare — to invigorate, to make energetic
  • Portuguese: estimular — to invigorate, to make energetic
  • Romanian: energizare — to invigorate, to make energetic
  • Russian: возбужда́ть (vozbuždátʹ) — to invigorate, to make energetic
  • Russian: активизи́ровать (aktivizírovatʹ) — to invigorate, to make energetic
  • Russian: усиливать (usilivatʹ) — to invigorate, to make energetic
  • Spanish: jumpear — to invigorate, to make energetic
  • Finnish: johtaa virta — to supply with energy, especially electricity
  • Finnish: kytkeä virta — to supply with energy, especially electricity
  • Finnish: kytkeä sähköt — to supply with energy, especially electricity
  • Finnish: sähköistää — to supply with energy, especially electricity
  • Irish: fuinnmhigh — to supply with energy, especially electricity
  • Italian: dare energia — to supply with energy, especially electricity
  • Portuguese: energizar — to supply with energy, especially electricity
  • Russian: подава́ть напряже́ние (podavátʹ naprjažénije) — to supply with energy, especially electricity
  • Russian: включа́ть ток (vključátʹ tok) — to supply with energy, especially electricity
  • Russian: подава́ть пита́ние (podavátʹ pitánije) — to supply with energy, especially electricity
  • Russian: включа́ть напряже́ние (vključátʹ naprjažénije) — to supply with energy, especially electricity
  • Spanish: energizar — to supply with energy, especially electricity