amp

A piece of equipment that makes sound louder, especially from an electric guitar.

• Plug your guitar into the amp.
• We borrowed two amps for the concert.
• Can you turn the amp down?

Similar words: amplifier

Common phrases: guitar amp, bass amp, plug into an amp

A unit used to measure how much electric current flows.

• The device draws one amp.
• Use a fuse rated at five amps.
• How many amps can this cable safely carry?

Similar words: ampere

Common phrases: one amp, amp rating, ten amp fuse

To make something louder, stronger, or more intense.

• Let’s amp up the music.
• The extra drums amped up the energy.
• They amped up pressure on the government.

How to use it: amp up something (The bright lights amp up the drama.)

Similar words: increase, boost, intensify

Opposites: reduce

Common phrases: amp up something, amp up the volume, amp up pressure

To make someone feel excited and full of energy.

• The music amped us up.
• The coach tried to amp up the players.
• She was too amped up to sleep.

How to use it: amp someone up (The cheering fans amped the team up.)

Similar words: excite, energize, fire up

Opposites: calm

Common phrases: amp someone up, amp up the crowd, all amped up