hyper

UK: /ˈhaɪpə^r/ US: /ˈhaɪpɚ/ ,(hī′pər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

hy•per¹ /ˈhaɪpɚ/   adj. [Informal.]

1. overexcited;
   keyed up:
   acting hyper after staying inside for five days.
2. overly concerned about something:
   hyper about proper pronunciation.

hyper-, prefix. 

1. hyper- is attached to nouns and adjectives and means "excessive;
   overly;
   too much;
   unusual:''
   hyper- + critical → hypercritical (= overly critical);
   hyper- + inflation → hyperinflation (= inflation that is unusual or too high).
   Compare super-.
2. hyper- is also used in computer words to refer to anything not rigidly connected in a step-by-step manner:
   hyper- + text → hypertext (= text or information that the user can gain access to in the order he or she chooses).

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

hy•per¹  (hī′pər), [Informal.]
adj. 

1. overexcited;
   overstimulated;
   keyed up.
2. seriously or obsessively concerned;
   fanatical;
   rabid:
   She's hyper about noise pollution.
3. hyperactive.

n. 

4. a person who is hyper.

• probably independent use of hyper- 1970–75

hy•per²  (hī′pər), n. [Informal.]

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

• hype¹ + -er¹ 1910–15, American., for an earlier sense

hyper-, 

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). Cf. super-.

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

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

hyper / ˈhaɪpə/ adjective

1. overactive; overexcited

Etymology: 20th Century: probably independent use of hyper-

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

hyper- 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

Etymology: from Greek huper over