excitable

[ik-sahy-tuh-buhl]

adjective

1. easily excited.

   Prima donnas had the reputation of being excitable and temperamental.

   Synonyms: fiery, passionate, emotional
   Antonyms: placid

2. capable of being excited.

excitable

/ ɪkˈsaɪtəbəl /

adjective

1. easily excited; volatile

2. (esp of a nerve) ready to respond to a stimulus

Other Word Forms

• excitability noun
• excitably adverb
• excitableness noun
• nonexcitable adjective
• nonexcitableness noun
• nonexcitably adverb
• unexcitable adjective
• unexcitablely adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of excitable¹

From the Late Latin word excitābilis, dating back to 1600–10. See excite, -able

Example Sentences

A five-year-old boy who drowned during a family holiday in Greece was an "excitable, happy, loving little child" with "no sense of danger", an inquest has heard.

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By contrast, as the tense, excitable Jake, Law doesn’t generate much warmth, or make you believe he’s actually capable of opening a high-class midtown restaurant.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"He isn't hyper and too excitable or in your face, but he's one of those guys who oozes confidence without trying," Coldwell said.

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The pinched, excitable vocals might remind you of TV on the Radio or Vampire Weekend, depending on which side of a microgenerational line your birthday lands on.

Read more on Salon

It was, one excitable fan commented, "like The Avengers for gay people".

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Related Words

• demonstrative 
• fidgety 
• fiery 
• high-strung 
• hysterical 
• impulsive 
• restless 
• skittish 
• temperamental