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• hyper
  hyper

  adjective

  overexcited; overstimulated; keyed up.
• hyper-
  hyper-

  a prefix appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it meant “over,” usually implying excess or exaggeration (hyperbole ); on this model used, especially as opposed to hypo-, in the formation of compound words (hyperthyroid ).
• hyper–
  hyper–

  A prefix that means “excessive” or “excessively,” especially in medical terms like hypertension and hyperthyroidism.

hyper

¹ American  

[hahy-per] / ˈhaɪ pər /

adjective

1. overexcited; overstimulated; keyed up.

2. seriously or obsessively concerned; fanatical; rabid.

   She's hyper about noise pollution.

3. hyperactive.

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noun

1. a person who is hyper.

hyper ² American  

[hahy-per] / ˈhaɪ pər /

noun

Informal.

1. a person who promotes or publicizes events, people, etc., especially one who uses flamboyant or questionable methods; promoter; publicist.

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hyper- ³ American  

1. a prefix appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it meant “over,” usually implying excess or exaggeration (hyperbole ); on this model used, especially as opposed to hypo-, in the formation of compound words (hyperthyroid ).

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hyper ¹ British  

/ ˈhaɪpə /

adjective

1. informal overactive; overexcited

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hyper- ² British  

prefix

1. above, over, or in excess

   hypercritical

2. (in medicine) denoting an abnormal excess

   hyperacidity

3. indicating that a chemical compound contains a greater than usual amount of an element

   hyperoxide

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hyper– Scientific  

1. A prefix that means “excessive” or “excessively,” especially in medical terms like hypertension and hyperthyroidism.

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Etymology

Origin of hyper¹

First recorded in 1970–75; probably independent use of hyper-

Origin of hyper²

1910–15, for an earlier sense; hype ¹ + -er ¹

Origin of hyper-³

Greek, representing hypér over, above; cognate with Latin super ( see super-); akin to over

Explanation

Someone who's hyper is overly excited or energetic. If coffee and tea make you feel a little hyper, you might try switching to decaf! Hyper is a shortened form of hyperactive, a behavior that includes restlessness and sometimes inappropriate amounts of movement. It's part of an official diagnosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. But hyper also describes any excessive activity or feeling or excitability: "I want one of these sleepy kittens, not those hyper ones climbing the curtains." The Greek root of hyper means "too much," and when someone is hyper, they really are too much!

Example Sentences

In this room, I am at times unsettled, at once tracking the movements of the actors while attempting to remain hyper aware of any sudden touch or scent.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

“This is a hyper sensitive topic,” said Mike Mayo, a bank analyst at Wells Fargo.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

"Creating with musical teams is great, but hopping into a different realm and being hyper creative with full-stack developers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, world builders -- that is the ultimate level of creativity."

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

When the Sun gets all hyper with magnetic activity, it throws out huge bursts of super-hot, super-fast gas called plasma.

From Space Scoop • Nov. 19, 2025

He had told me that all my problems were not because I was hyper.

From "Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key" by Jack Gantos

Related Words

• aggressive
• alive
• bold
• busy
• determined
• diligent
• dynamic
• eager
• energetic
• engaged
• enthusiastic
• forceful
• intense
• keen
• lively
• quick
• ready
• resolute