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

Mr Male said that in the past few years, the competition has "gone nuts" and is "probably the most exciting way to get better at excel in general".

Read more on BBC

"As long as you're hitting the ball well and playing good cricket, it's about physically fit, mentally ready and excited."

Read more on Barron's

I was excited to see so many voices, new and familiar, dominate the 2024 nonfiction releases, showing that Latinas have played important roles in the Southern California story and deserve far more recognition.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"Seeing members choose collective leadership is truly exciting."

Read more on Barron's

Consumers are excited about each Cava store opening, and the company is opening restaurants quickly.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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