As a noun, "electric" refers to the phenomenon or force of electricity, or to a substance or device that is related to electricity. For example:
- "The electric current in the wire was too strong."
- "The electrician installed a new electric panel in the house."
As an adjective, "electric" describes something that is related to or powered by electricity. For example:
- "The electric car is more environmentally friendly than a gasoline car."
- "The electric toothbrush has a built-in timer."
In some cases, the context of the sentence can help determine whether "electric" is being used as a noun or an adjective.