Word
dynamo
Phoneticsdy·namo
US/ˈdaɪnəˌmoʊ/
UK/dˈaɪnɐmˌəʊ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a machine that turns movement into electricity. It can also describe a person who has a huge amount of energy and never seems to stop working.
n. a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, typically through a rotating commutator. In a figurative sense, refers to an exceptionally energetic or productive person.
Examples
“The old bicycle used a small dynamo to power its headlight.”
“The factory installed a large dynamo to ensure the machinery would keep running during a power cut.”
“The team's lead researcher is a literal dynamo, managing three separate projects while simultaneously publishing groundbreaking papers in international journals.”
Examples
simple
“The old bicycle used a small dynamo to power its headlight.”
contextual
“The factory installed a large dynamo to ensure the machinery would keep running during a power cut.”
complex
“The team's lead researcher is a literal dynamo, managing three separate projects while simultaneously publishing groundbreaking papers in international journals.”
In Japanese
dynamo; power generator
Japanese from JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0. All sources.
Usage
Countable in both its technical and figurative senses.
Real-World Examples
“Cape Verde’s cult hero Vozinha now keeps net for the Chilean giants Colo-Colo and Morocco’s attacking dynamo, Ismael Saibari, has rocked up at Bayern.” “The interaction between the solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere can be thought of as a giant dynamo.” Etymology
A shortening of dynamo-electric machine. The element dynamo- is ultimately from Ancient Greek δύναμις (dúnamis, “power”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/dynamo