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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate

stimulant

STIHM-yuu-luhnt

Stimulant (noun) means a substance that increases activity in the body or nervous system. Example: “Caffeine is a mild stimulant found in coffee and tea.”

noun
1
A substance that increases activity in the body or nervous system.
"Caffeine is a mild stimulant found in coffee and tea."
2
Something that encourages activity, interest, or enthusiasm.
"Competition can be a powerful stimulant for innovation."

How to use stimulant

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAnything, chemical or otherwise, that speeds up activity or sparks interest.

Common mistake

Don't confuse "stimulant" (a substance that energizes) with "stimulus" (something that triggers a response).

Easily confused with

Word forms

stimulants plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Caffeine is a mild _____ found in coffee and tea.

Related words

Rhymes for stimulant

See all rhymes for stimulant →

Frequently asked questions

What does “stimulant” mean?

The word “stimulant” means a substance that increases activity in the body or nervous system. In plain terms, anything, chemical or otherwise, that speeds up activity or sparks interest.

How do you pronounce “stimulant”?

“Stimulant” is pronounced STIHM-yuu-luhnt (/ˈstɪmjʊlənt/ in IPA).

How do you use “stimulant” in a sentence?

Here is “stimulant” used in a sentence: “Caffeine is a mild stimulant found in coffee and tea.”

What is another word for “stimulant”?

Words with a similar meaning to “stimulant” include psychostimulant and excitant.

What part of speech is “stimulant”?

“Stimulant” is a noun.

How many meanings does “stimulant” have?

“Stimulant” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a substance that increases activity in the body or nervous system.

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