Standard Lemma guide

supercharge

noun · verb · 7 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.

  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: S UW2 P ER0 CH AA1 R JH Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A charge borne upon an ordinary or other charge.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: government, heraldry, hobbies, lifestyle, monarchy, nobility, politics

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An instance of supercharging.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: electrics

Topics: business, electrical-engineering, electricity, electromagnetism, electronics, energy, engineering, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, physics

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To increase the power of an internal combustion engine (either Otto or Diesel cycle) by compressing the inlet air with power extracted from the crankshaft.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: automotive, transport, vehicles

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To make faster or more powerful.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To recharge a battery cell/pack at an extremely rapid pace.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: electrics

Topics: business, electrical-engineering, electricity, electromagnetism, electronics, energy, engineering, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, physics

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

increase the pressure on a gas or liquid

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: pressurize, pressurise

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change, alter, modify

7

verb

Meaning 7

increase or raise

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • boost the voltage in an electrical circuit

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: boost, advance

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: increase

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *úp Proto-Indo-European *-er Proto-Indo-European *upér Proto-Italic *super Latin super Latin super-lbor. English super- Proto-Indo-European *ḱers- Proto-Indo-European *-ós Proto-Indo-European *ḱr̥sós Proto-Celtic *karros Gaulish *karrosbor. Latin carrus Latin -ic- Proto-Indo-European *-h2 Proto-Indo-European *-éh2 Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh2yéti Proto-Indo-European *-h2tiinflu. Proto-Italic *-ājō Proto-Italic *-āō Latin -ō Latin -ico Latin carricō Late Latin carricāre Old French chargierder. Middle English chargen English charge English supercharge From super- + charge.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: ahtaa — to increase the power of an internal combustion engine
  • Turkish: süperşarj — to increase the power of an internal combustion engine
  • Finnish: kiihdyttää — to make faster or more powerful
  • Finnish: tehostaa — to make faster or more powerful
  • Italian: sovralimentare — to make faster or more powerful