excitement

[ik-sahyt-muhnt]

noun

1. an excited state or condition.

   Synonyms: ado, commotion, perturbation
   Antonyms: serenity

2. something that excites.

excitement

/ ɪkˈsaɪtmənt /

noun

1. the state of being excited

2. a person or thing that excites; stimulation or thrill

Other Word Forms

• hyperexcitement noun
• superexcitement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of excitement¹

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

Synonym Study

See agitation.

Example Sentences

A cynic might argue that, like pumpkin-flavored treats appearing in stores during the first week of August, these successes are merely the product of early excitement for the Halloween season.

Read more on Salon

Quantum-computing stocks were soaring early on Thursday amid excitement over potential federal funding for the sector in exchange for the U.S. government taking equity stakes in the companies.

Read more on Barron's

“There’s a new sense of opportunity, and even excitement to reimagine the property.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In our call of the day, the $2 billion-plus Greenlight Capital hedge fund explains why it’s “refusing to participate in the excitement” of AI and the one stock it has much more faith in.

Read more on MarketWatch

The decision to bring decommissioned Confederate memorial sculptures inside the museum for sober analysis at first raised eyebrows, as much in excitement as in surprise.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adventure 
• buzz 
• commotion 
• confusion 
• drama 
• elation 
• emotion 
• feeling 
• frenzy 
• furor 
• fuss 
• hysteria 
• motivation 
• passion 
• rage 
• thrill 
• trepidation 
• tumult 
• turmoil 
• warmth