Hyperactive
/ˌhaɪpərˈæk.tɪv/noun
Excessively or unusually active; especially restless or overexcited.
Did you know?The first element, hyper-, comes from Greek and originally meant “over” or “beyond,” a prefix that also powers words like hyperbole and hypertension, all built on the same ancient idea of excess.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
GRK
hyper
“over, beyond, above”
Late Latin
LAT
hyper-
“prefix meaning over, beyond, excessive”
18th–19th Century
English
hyperactive
“overly active or excessively energetic”
Modern English
English
hyperactive
“excessively active; restless or overexcited”
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