Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Easily excited or agitated; having a sensitive or nervous temperament: Describes a person who is prone to strong emotional reactions or nervous excitement. This state is often inherent to one's personality or nervous system.
   • Intense or highly strung: Can describe a general state of heightened sensitivity, tension, or emotional intensity.

Usage

• This adjective is typically used to describe a person's temperament or emotional state. It often carries a neutral to slightly negative connotation, implying a lack of emotional calm or stability.
• It is used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like 'be' or 'seem').

Examples

• Attributive use (before a noun):
  • She is a high-keyed individual who reacts passionately to even minor criticisms.
  • The high-keyed atmosphere in the trading floor was palpable.
• Predicative use (after a linking verb):
  • He became very high-keyed before the important presentation.
  • The entire team was high-keyed with anticipation before the final match.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in psychology or informal descriptions of personality to denote a reactive nervous system.
• It can be synonymous with a state of being overstimulated or overly sensitive to environmental stimuli.

Variants and Related Words

• High-strung (adj): This is a very close synonym, almost interchangeable with 'high-keyed'. It emphasizes being tense, nervous, and easily upset.
  • The racehorse was too high-strung to be calm around crowds.
• Excitable (adj): A more general synonym meaning easily excited.
• Nervous (adj): A more common term suggesting unease or anxiety.
• Sensitive (adj): Can overlap in meaning, focusing on being easily affected by external factors.

Synonyms

• Excitable
• Nervous
• Edgy
• Jittery
• Tense
• Overwrought

Antonyms

• Calm
• Placid
• Relaxed
• Easygoing
• Phlegmatic
• Unflappable

Related Idioms and Phrases

• On edge: In a state of nervous tension or anxiety.
  • The constant noise had everyone on edge.
• Wound up: Very tense, nervous, or excited.
  • She was wound up before her job interview.
• Bundle of nerves: A person who is extremely nervous or anxious.
  • He was a bundle of nerves waiting for the test results.

Adjective

1. (of persons) excitable