verb
palpitate
PAL-pih-tayt
Palpitate (verb) means of the heart, to beat unusually fast, hard or irregularly, so that you become aware of it. Example: “Her heart began to palpitate as soon as she saw the caller ID.”
verb
1
Of the heart, to beat unusually fast, hard or irregularly, so that you become aware of it.
"Her heart began to palpitate as soon as she saw the caller ID."
"Too much caffeine makes his heart palpitate at night."
2
literary To tremble or quiver, especially with fear or excitement.
"The whole crowd seemed to palpitate as the countdown reached zero."
How to use palpitate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWhen your heart suddenly races or thumps hard enough for you to notice.
When to use it
Slightly formal or literary as a verb; the noun palpitations is entirely everyday.
Memory tip
In ordinary speech people say their heart is racing or pounding; palpitate sounds bookish outside medical writing.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
heart palpitates
palpitating with fear
cause palpitations
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Her heart began to _____ as soon as she saw the caller ID.
Etymology
From Latin palpitare 'to throb, flutter', a frequentative of palpare 'to touch gently, stroke'.
Related words
Rhymes for palpitate
See all rhymes for palpitate →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between palpitate and palpate?
To palpitate is to throb or beat rapidly, and it is what the heart does. To palpate is what a clinician does with their hands, pressing on the body to examine it. The words share a Latin root but are not interchangeable.
Are heart palpitations dangerous?
Usually not. Most are caused by caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, stress, exercise or hormonal changes and pass on their own. Seek medical advice if they come with chest pain, breathlessness or fainting, or if they are frequent and prolonged.
What is the noun form?
Palpitation, most often used in the plural: 'she went to the doctor about palpitations'.
What is the meaning of palpitate?
"palpitate" (verb) means of the heart, to beat unusually fast, hard or irregularly, so that you become aware of it.
