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hectic
/ˈhɛktɪk/
full of frantic activity
I had a hectic morning rushing to catch the train.
The speaker describes a morning filled with rushed, chaotic movement.
informal
Full of frantic activity; busy and chaotic.
She had a hectic schedule during the exam week.
Her timetable was extremely busy and stressful.
Often implies a sense of stress or lack of control due to the volume of tasks.
Collocations
hectic schedulea very busy timetablehectic pacea fast, frantic speed of activityhectic lifea lifestyle characterized by constant busyness
Pro Tip
Usage Context
Use 'hectic' to emphasize the chaotic nature of busyness, not just the amount of work. A 'busy' day might be productive; a 'hectic' day feels out of control.
Word Origin
From Greek 'hektikos' meaning 'of a fever', from 'hektikos' (feverish), referring to the restless activity associated with a fever.
Usage Notes
While originally medical, it is now almost exclusively used to describe busy schedules or chaotic situations. It carries a slightly negative connotation of stress.
English Dictionary