excitement

American

[ik-sahyt-muhnt] / ɪkˈsaɪt mənt /

noun

an excited state or condition.

Synonyms:

ado, commotion, perturbation

Antonyms:

serenity
something that excites.

excitement British

/ ɪkˈsaɪtmənt /

noun

the state of being excited
a person or thing that excites; stimulation or thrill

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See agitation.

Other Word Forms

hyperexcitement noun
superexcitement noun

Etymology

Origin of excitement

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English excitament, “encouragement,” from Medieval Latin excitāmentum; excite + -ment

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.

There was excitement and intensity but perfection wasn’t expected.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

Shareholder excitement about this repurchase wasn’t letting up on Thursday.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

"We didn't expect skull parts and so many more bones. There was a fair amount of excitement when we saw what was hidden inside the block."

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

"We know the levels of Spain but they are also very aware of our level. The noise… it's excitement."

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

I stood in the center of my cell in a frenzy of excitement.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023