Hectic Meaning
/ˈhɛktɪk/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjVery busy with activity and confusion.
adjDenoting a type of fever accompanying consumption and similar wasting diseases, characterised by flushed cheeks and dry skin.
Sentence Examples
I don't work now and I lead a less hectic life.
He leads a hectic life.
I have a hectic schedule for the next few days.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ schedule left her with no time for rest.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I had a very ____ day at the office, with constant phone calls and back-to-back meetings.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English etik, ethik, from Old French etique, from Medieval Latin *hecticus, from Ancient Greek ἑκτικός (hektikós, “habitual, hectic, consumptive”), from ἕξις (héxis, “a state or habit of body or of mind, condition”), from ἔχειν (ékhein, “to have, hold, be in a certain state”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Phoenix:It must have been too hectic that night to clean up."
— 2007 March 16, Capcom Production Studio 4, quoting Phoenix, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Justice for All, Europe: Capcom, →OCLC, Nintendo DS, scene: Part 3: Investigation, Cafeteria, level/area: Turnabout Big Top:
"Ann had a hectic cough, and many unfavourable prognostics […]."
— 1788, Mary Wollstonecraft, chapter VI, in Mary: A Fiction:
"She never complained, but sleep and appetite fled from her, a slow fever preyed on her veins, her colour was hectic, and she often wept in secret […]."
— 1826, [Mary Shelley], chapter I, in The Last Man. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC:
"[…] Do it England, / For like the Hecticke in my blood he rages, / And thou muſt cure me: […]"
— c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii], page 273:
"The poor Franciscan made no reply: a hectic of a moment pass’d across his cheek, but could not tarry […]"
— 1768, Mr. Yorick [pseudonym; Laurence Sterne], A Sentimental Journey through France and Italy, volume I, London: […] T. Becket and P. A. De Hondt, […], →OCLC, page 17:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ schedule left her with no time for rest.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I had a very ____ day at the office, with constant phone calls and back-to-back meetings.