thrill
thih
Thrill (verb) means to give someone a sudden rush of excitement or pleasure. Example: “The roller coaster thrilled the whole family.”
verb
1
To give someone a sudden rush of excitement or pleasure.
"The roller coaster thrilled the whole family."
"She was thrilled to hear she got the job."
"The magician's final trick thrilled the audience, and everyone clapped loudly."
noun
1
A sudden feeling of excitement or pleasure.
"There's nothing like the thrill of a last-minute goal."
"He described the thrill of skydiving for the first time."
"Winning the race gave her a thrill she remembered for weeks."
How to use thrill
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rush of excitement, or to cause that feeling in someone.
Common pairings
thrilled to bits
a thrill of excitement
thrill-seeker
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Word forms
- Plural
- thrills
- Third person singular
- thrills
- Past tense
- thrilled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The roller coaster _____ the whole family.
Etymology
From Old English þyrlian, "to pierce," related to thirl (an old word for a hole) — the sense shifted from a physical piercing to the figurative feeling of being "pierced" by excitement.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for thrill
See all rhymes for thrill →Frequently asked questions
What does “thrill” mean?
The word “thrill” means to give someone a sudden rush of excitement or pleasure. In plain terms, a rush of excitement, or to cause that feeling in someone.
How do you pronounce “thrill”?
“Thrill” is pronounced thih ([θɾ̪̊ɪɫ] in IPA).
How do you use “thrill” in a sentence?
Here is “thrill” used in a sentence: “The roller coaster thrilled the whole family.”
What is another word for “thrill”?
Words with a similar meaning to “thrill” include animate, awaken, electrify, enflame, enkindle and enthrill.
What is the opposite of “thrill”?
The opposite of “thrill” — its antonyms — are allay, assuage, calm down, cool and curb.
What part of speech is “thrill”?
Depending on how it is used, “thrill” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “thrill” come from?
The word “thrill” comes from Old English. From Old English þyrlian, "to pierce," related to thirl (an old word for a hole) — the sense shifted from a physical piercing to the figurative feeling of being "pierced" by excitement.
Is “thrill” a common word?
“Thrill” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between "thrill" as a verb and as a noun?
As a verb, "thrill" means to give someone a sudden rush of excitement or pleasure, as in "the concert thrilled the crowd." As a noun, it names that feeling itself, as in "riding the rollercoaster gave her a real thrill."
What is the difference between "thrill" and general "excitement"?
"Excitement" is a broad term for heightened emotional energy, while a "thrill" specifically refers to a sudden, intense burst of that feeling, often tied to a particular moment or experience. A thrill tends to be sharper and more momentary than ongoing excitement.
