excitement
ihk-SYT-muhnt
Excitement (noun) means a strong feeling of eagerness, thrill, or enthusiasm. Example: “The class buzzed with excitement when the teacher announced a trip to the zoo.”
noun
1
A strong feeling of eagerness, thrill, or enthusiasm.
"The class buzzed with excitement when the teacher announced a trip to the zoo."
"There was real excitement in the stadium before kickoff."
"He could barely contain his excitement about the trip."
2
Something that causes this feeling.
"Life in the quiet village offered little excitement beyond the Saturday market."
"For the children, the first snowfall of winter was the greatest excitement of the week."
"The county fair is the biggest excitement this town sees all year."
How to use excitement
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA buzzing, eager feeling — or whatever is causing it.
Common pairings
a sense of excitement
build excitement
the excitement of
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Word forms
- Plural
- excitements
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The class buzzed with _____ when the teacher announced a trip to the zoo.
Etymology
From Middle English excitement, from Old French excitement, equivalent to excite + -ment.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for excitement
cement
element
clement
movement
pavement
tenement
inclement
abatement
amusement
statement
agreement
excrement
See all rhymes for excitement →
Frequently asked questions
What does “excitement” mean?
The word “excitement” means a strong feeling of eagerness, thrill, or enthusiasm. In plain terms, a buzzing, eager feeling — or whatever is causing it.
How do you pronounce “excitement”?
“Excitement” is pronounced ihk-SYT-muhnt (/ɪkˈsaɪtmənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “excitement” in a sentence?
Here is “excitement” used in a sentence: “There was real excitement in the stadium before kickoff.”
What part of speech is “excitement”?
“Excitement” is a noun.
Is “excitement” a common word?
“Excitement” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “excitement” have?
“Excitement” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a strong feeling of eagerness, thrill, or enthusiasm.
Is "excitement" countable or uncountable?
"Excitement" is usually uncountable, as in "there was a lot of excitement." It can occasionally be used countably to mean something that causes the feeling, as in "the excitements of city life," but this is far less common.
What preposition goes with "excitement" — "excitement about" or "excitement for"?
Both are used, but "excitement about" is the most standard, as in "excitement about the trip." "Excitement over" and "excitement for" are also common, often when looking forward to a specific event.
When should you use "excitement" instead of "thrill"?
"Excitement" is a general feeling of eagerness or enthusiasm that can build over time. A "thrill" is a sudden, sharp wave of excitement, often intense and short-lived. Use "thrill" for a quick rush and "excitement" for the broader feeling.
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