electric

If something operates when it’s plugged into a wall outlet or is battery-powered, it’s electric.

outlet	battery

• We use an electric oven.
• Many small appliances are electric.
• Our clothes dryer is electric.
• I play an electric guitar.
• Every month we have to pay the electric bill.

The noun form for this word is electricity.

• The oven runs on electricity.
• Without electricity, I can’t work on this website.
• Last week many people along the east coast were without electricity because of a snow storm.
• Electricity is an essential utility in a home.

e lec tri ci ty

Sometimes the word "electrical" is used as an adjective:

• My neighbor’s son is studying electrical engineering in college.
• The hardware store sells electrical supplies and electrical equipment.
• Special electrical tools are necessary for fixing problems related to electricity.

The person whose career it is to work with electricity is called an electrician:

• We need to get an electrician out to our house to fix a few small problems with our ceiling fans.
• Electricians can usually find work wherever they go because everyone uses electricity.

This is an electric guitar.

Click here to learn more words.

February 18, 2013