exhilarate
Americanverb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of exhilarate
First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin exhilarātus, past participle of exhilarāre “to gladden,” equivalent to ex- “from, out of, beyond” + hilarāre “to cheer” ( see hilarity); see ex- 1, -ate 1
Explanation
Exciting or thrilling things might exhilarate you. If you love acting, just the thought of being on stage might exhilarate you, giving you a feeling of giddy excitement. The Latin word exhilarare meant "to gladden" and exhilarate still holds a similar meaning today. If you feel down, maybe imagining a high, clear sky on a fresh, cool day can exhilarate your spirit. You found out that driving a race car exhilarates you but only makes your friend carsick. I hope you brought some rags.
Vocabulary lists containing exhilarate
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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.
Exhilarate, egz-il′a-rāt, v.t. to make hilarious or merry: to enliven: to cheer.—adj.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various
Nor rural sights alone, but rural sounds, Exhilarate the spirit, and restore The tone of languid nature.
From Familiar Quotations A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs Traced to Their Sources in Ancient and Modern Literature by Bartlett, John
Exhilarate me with the wine of Thy love, O Thou Brilliant Countenance!
From Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas by `Abdu'l-Bahá
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.
