excitement
Americannoun
-
an excited state or condition.
- Synonyms:
- ado, commotion, perturbation
- Antonyms:
- serenity
-
something that excites.
noun
-
the state of being excited
-
a person or thing that excites; stimulation or thrill
Related Words
See agitation.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of excitement
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English excitament, “encouragement,” from Medieval Latin excitāmentum; excite + -ment
Explanation
Excitement is a feeling or situation full of activity, joy, exhilaration, or upheaval. One thing about excitement — it sure isn't boring. There are a few types of excitement, but they're all exciting — they get your attention. If you can't wait for your birthday, you're feeling a happy kind of excitement. If everyone in class is screaming and throwing things, the teacher might ask, "What's all the excitement about?" A sleeping dog is resting — no excitement there. But a dog that’s jumping, barking, and running in circles when his owner comes home is feeling and causing a lot of excitement.
Vocabulary lists containing excitement
Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 3
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-ment
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Excitement around Ari Skye’s arrival had been brewing in the media long before the couple even announced they were expecting.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026
Excitement is building for the singer's fans ahead of his sold-out show at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester on Friday evening.
From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026
Excitement was building outside the ground before the start of the hotly awaited clash.
From Barron's • Feb. 15, 2026
Excitement over AI has played a major role in propelling stocks to new records in recent years, with investors especially eager to buy the stocks of so-called AI hyperscalers like Alphabet and Microsoft.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 25, 2026
Excitement bubbles up in my chest like I'm an overflowing champagne flute.
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
