frenetic

UK /frəˈnetɪk/ US /frəˈnetɪk/ Syllables: fre-net-ic

Pronunciation

Adjective C1 Advanced Neutral

Fast, energetic, and slightly out of control.

Frenetic describes activity that is fast, wild and rushed, often with a feeling of being out of control. A frenetic pace, a frenetic search or a frenetic week all give the sense of people hurrying with too much to do. The word can also describe a person who is highly excited or frantic. Close words are frantic, frenzied, hectic, feverish and manic. The opposite is calm, leisurely or unhurried. Frenetic is a little stronger than busy, and it is more about speed and energy than about worry. The adverb is frenetically and the noun is freneticism.

"The kitchen had a frenetic pace during the dinner rush."

Example sentences

"The kitchen was frenetic during the dinner rush."

Level C1
"After a frenetic week, she slept all weekend."

Level C1
"The band played at a frenetic pace."

Level C1
"There was frenetic trading on the market this morning."

Level C1

Synonyms and antonyms

Synonyms

frantic hectic

Antonyms

calm leisurely

Look-alikes and common mistakes

frantic : Frantic often adds fear or worry, as in a frantic search for a lost child. Frenetic is about fast, wild energy.
hectic : Hectic describes a very busy time or schedule. Frenetic suggests more wild energy.
manic : Manic suggests extreme excitement and can refer to a mental condition. Frenetic is a general word for fast action.
phrenetic : Phrenetic is an old spelling of frenetic. Today the spelling with f is standard.

Word family and forms

Forms: more frenetic, most frenetic

frenetically freneticism frantic frenzy

Word partners

Words and phrases that often go with "frenetic".

frenetic pace
frenetic activity
frenetic energy
a frenetic week
frenetic search
frenetic dancing
frenetic rush

Origin

Frenetic came into English in the 1300s as frenetik, from Old French frenetike, from Latin phreneticus, which came from Greek phrenetikos, meaning delirious. The Greek word comes from phrenitis, meaning delirium, which comes from phren, meaning mind. Frenetic is a doublet of frantic, which means the two words come from the same source.

Checked against: Wiktionary, the free dictionary, Dictionary.com.

How to remember it

Frenetic has the sound of frantic inside it. Think of a crowd rushing to catch a train, everyone moving fast and nobody calm.

Test yourself

Which word fits the gap? "The kitchen was _____ during the dinner rush."

Answer: frenetic

In your own words, what does "frenetic" mean?