excite

[ik-sahyt]

verb (used with object)

excited, exciting 

1. to arouse or stir up the emotions or feelings of.

   to excite a person to anger; actions that excited his father's wrath.

   Synonyms: inflame, kindle, animate, stimulate, awaken, stir

2. to arouse or stir up (emotions or feelings).

   to excite jealousy or hatred.

   Synonyms: evoke

3. to cause; awaken.

   to excite interest or curiosity.

4. to stir to action; provoke or stir up.

   to excite a dog by baiting him.

   Synonyms: ruffle, agitate, disturb

5. Physiology.,  to stimulate.

   to excite a nerve.

6. Electricity.,  to supply with electricity for producing electric activity or a magnetic field.

   to excite a dynamo.

7. Physics.,  to raise (an atom, molecule, etc.) to an excited state.

excite

/ ɪkˈsaɪt /

verb

1. to arouse (a person) to strong feeling, esp to pleasurable anticipation or nervous agitation

2. to arouse or elicit (an emotion, response, etc); evoke

   her answers excited curiosity

3. to cause or bring about; stir up

   to excite a rebellion

4. to arouse sexually

5. physiol to cause a response in or increase the activity of (an organ, tissue, or part); stimulate

6. to raise (an atom, molecule, electron, nucleus, etc) from the ground state to a higher energy level

7. to supply electricity to (the coils of a generator or motor) in order to create a magnetic field

8. to supply a signal to a stage of an active electronic circuit

Other Word Forms

• preexcite verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of excite¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin excitāre, from ex- ex- ¹ + citāre “to move repeatedly, set in motion, summon” (from ciēre “to arouse, cause to go, move”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of excite¹

C14: from Latin excitāre, from exciēre to stimulate, from ciēre to set in motion, rouse

Example Sentences

"He's an exciting player, quick, strong and works hard. Everything about him today was very impressive."

From BBC

But, for now, Dr Lena Smirnova, who leads the research at Johns Hopkins University, believes wetware is scientifically exciting - but early stage.

From BBC

For Australians Dennis and Taryna Wawn from Perth, excited by the prospect of a home at sea, the advert on Facebook couldn't have come at a better time as they planned their retirement.

From BBC

"I'm sure there are lots of people in the West who don't approve, but people here are really excited about the transformation programme," said Sara.

From BBC

“I’m excited to hear them and also very nervous.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agitate 
• amaze 
• anger 
• animate 
• annoy 
• astound 
• bother 
• delight 
• disturb 
• energize 
• irritate 
• offend 
• thrill 
• turn on 
• vex 
• work up 
• worry