high-keyed
/'hai'ki:d/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- (of persons) excitable