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

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."

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 notes

In 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 ↓

Easily confused with

palpate pulsate throb →

Common pairings

heart palpitates palpitating with fear cause palpitations

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “palpitate” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

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'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

View more →

pound race flutter throb thump quiver tremble shudder

Related Words

run class hit cut attack race beat species

Rhymes for palpitate

ate date rate mate fate abate slate plate state grate create update

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'.

People Also Searched

run class hit cut attack race beat species