thriller
THRIH-luh
Thriller (noun) means a book, film, or play built around suspense, danger, and excitement. Example: “The movie is a psychological thriller about a detective hunting a serial killer.”
noun
1
A book, film, or play built around suspense, danger, and excitement.
"She loves to read thriller books."
"The movie is a psychological thriller about a detective hunting a serial killer."
"She writes crime thrillers set in small English towns."
"I stayed up past midnight finishing a gripping thriller that kept me guessing until the end."
How to use thriller
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA story genre designed to keep you tense and on edge.
Common pairings
psychological thriller
crime thriller
edge-of-your-seat thriller
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Word forms
- Plural
- thrillers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The movie is a psychological _____ about a detective hunting a serial killer.
Etymology
Formed from thrill plus the agent suffix -er, meaning "something that thrills."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for thriller
See all rhymes for thriller →Frequently asked questions
What does “thriller” mean?
The word “thriller” means a book, film, or play built around suspense, danger, and excitement. In plain terms, a story genre designed to keep you tense and on edge.
How do you pronounce “thriller”?
“Thriller” is pronounced THRIH-luh (/ˈθɹɪ.ləɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “thriller” in a sentence?
Here is “thriller” used in a sentence: “The movie is a psychological thriller about a detective hunting a serial killer.”
What part of speech is “thriller”?
“Thriller” is a noun.
Is “thriller” a common word?
“Thriller” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between a "thriller" and a "horror" film?
A thriller is built around suspense, danger, and excitement, keeping the audience tense about what will happen next. Horror aims mainly to frighten or disturb, often using fear, gore, or supernatural threats, whereas a thriller relies on tension and high stakes.
What is the difference between a "thriller" and a "mystery"?
A mystery centres on solving a puzzle, such as identifying who committed a crime, so the reader pieces clues together. A thriller focuses on suspense and impending danger, often with the audience already aware of the threat and racing to see how it is resolved.
What are the common types of thriller?
Common subgenres include the psychological thriller, crime thriller, spy thriller, legal thriller, and political thriller. Each keeps the core ingredients of suspense, danger, and excitement while focusing on a particular setting or subject.
What is the difference between a "thriller" and a "suspense" story?
The two overlap heavily, and suspense is a key ingredient of any thriller. In general use, a thriller tends to involve higher stakes, faster pace, and more action, while "suspense" emphasises the anxious anticipation of what will happen.
