thrill

American  

[thril] / θrɪl /

verb (used with object)

1. to affect with a sudden wave of keen emotion or excitement, as to produce a tremor or tingling sensation through the body.

2. to utter or send forth tremulously, as a melody.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to affect one with a wave of emotion or excitement.

   Synonyms:

   stir, electrify, excite

2. to be stirred by a tremor or tingling sensation of emotion or excitement.

   He thrilled at the thought of home.

3. to move tremulously; vibrate; quiver.

   Synonyms:

   quake, quake, tremble, flutter

4. to cause a prickling or tingling sensation.

   Brisk cold thrills the skin.

noun

1. a sudden wave of keen emotion or excitement, sometimes manifested as a tremor or tingling sensation passing through the body.

2. something that produces or is capable of producing such a sensation.

   a story full of thrills.

3. a thrilling experience.

   It was a thrill to see Paris again.

4. a vibration or quivering.

5. Pathology. an abnormal tremor or vibration, as in the respiratory or vascular system.

thrill British  

/ θrɪl /

noun

1. a sudden sensation of excitement and pleasure

   seeing his book for sale gave him a thrill

2. a situation producing such a sensation

   it was a thrill to see Rome for the first time

3. a trembling sensation caused by fear or emotional shock

4. pathol an abnormal slight tremor associated with a heart or vascular murmur, felt on palpation

---

verb

1. to feel or cause to feel a thrill

2. to tremble or cause to tremble; vibrate or quiver

Other Word Forms

• subthrill noun

Etymology

Origin of thrill

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English thrillen originally, “to penetrate,” metathetic variant of thirlen “to pierce; thrill” ( thirl )

Example Sentences

That kinship is what makes Coppola’s first documentary, “Marc by Sofia,” such a thrill — and also what occasionally holds the film back.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

“For the writer,” she noted in an essay, “the nastiest event carries with it a little thrill like the discovery of a vein of gold: I can use this in a story.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

An indoor, space-themed thrill ride, Galacticoaster is brief but impressionable, a spinning race through a darkened landscape to save a Lego-infused galaxy from an “asteroid of probable destruction.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

"And through entertainment, we find ways to use fear as a thrill, but in a positive way."

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

In spite of her fear, Nhamo felt a little thrill of excitement.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer

Related Words

• animate
• delight
• electrify
• enchant
• fire up
• inspire
• tickle
• titillate
• wow