top definitions
quizzes
related content
examples
explore dictionary
british

frisson

[ free-sohn; French free-sawn ]

/ friˈsõʊ̃; French friˈsɔ̃ /

noun, plural fris·sons [free-sohnz; French free-sawn] /friˈsõʊ̃z; French friˈsɔ̃/.

a sudden, passing sensation of excitement; a shudder of emotion; thrill: The movie offers the viewer the occasional frisson of seeing a character in mortal danger.

VIDEO FOR FRISSON

WATCH NOW: Have You Ever Felt A Frisson?

A frisson is "a sudden feeling or sensation of excitement, emotion, or thrill." What's made you experience this feeling?

MORE VIDEOS FROM DICTIONARY.COM

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?

Question 1 of 10

decorum

the act of or need for making up one's mind.

dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.

a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of frisson

1770–80; < French: shiver, shudder, Old French friçons (plural) < Late Latin frictiōnem, accusative of frictiō shiver (taken as derivative of frīgēre to be cold), Latin: massage, friction

Words nearby frisson

frisian carving, frisian islands, frisk, frisket, frisky, frisson, frisé, frisée, frit, frit fly, frites

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for frisson

You know, a novel comes not from a decision but a frisson, a sort of shiver that goes through you.
Martin Amis Talks About Nazis, Novels, and Cute Babies|Ronald K. Fried|October 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If there was a frisson of drama, it came when Gingrich spoke after Romney was projected to win Delaware.
The Great Primary Pretense|Howard Kurtz|April 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Further, united in positivity, the frisson within the judging panel has evaporated.
The American Idol Implosion|Richard Rushfield|April 12, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The political risk of new books was replaced by the frisson of scandal.
The Real Story of "O"|Robert McCrum|January 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST

A frisson of breathless excitement rippled through the Twitter community last week as a mysterious new member made his debut.
Karl Rove Is Following Me|Rachel Sklar|January 16, 2009|DAILY BEAST
I must have experiences, pictures, that frisson, as the French say.
The Song of Songs|Hermann Sudermann
Ive managed the frisson (womans touch), some colour-sensations, sublimities, etc.
The Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn, Volume 2|Elizabeth Bisland
No purely physical theory can interpret all the mystery of the frisson.
Exotics and Retrospectives|Lafcadio Hearn
The frisson, oh, those few exquisite seconds of emotion, eh Berthe?
The Missourian|Eugene P. (Eugene Percy) Lyle
Her nourishment was ever the latest “frisson,” to use her own word.
The Missourian|Eugene P. (Eugene Percy) Lyle

British Dictionary definitions for frisson

frisson

/ French (frisɔ̃) /

noun

a shudder or shiver; thrill

Word Origin for frisson

C18 (but in common use only from C20): literally: shiver

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

Emoji Challenge! Test Yourself!