thrill

[thril]

verb (used with object)

1. to affect with a sudden wave of keen emotion or excitement, as to produce a tremor or tingling sensation through the body.

2. to utter or send forth tremulously, as a melody.

verb (used without object)

1. to affect one with a wave of emotion or excitement.

   Synonyms: stir, electrify, excite

2. to be stirred by a tremor or tingling sensation of emotion or excitement.

   He thrilled at the thought of home.

3. to move tremulously; vibrate; quiver.

   Synonyms: quake, quake, tremble, flutter

4. to cause a prickling or tingling sensation.

   Brisk cold thrills the skin.

noun

1. a sudden wave of keen emotion or excitement, sometimes manifested as a tremor or tingling sensation passing through the body.

2. something that produces or is capable of producing such a sensation.

   a story full of thrills.

3. a thrilling experience.

   It was a thrill to see Paris again.

4. a vibration or quivering.

5. Pathology.,  an abnormal tremor or vibration, as in the respiratory or vascular system.

thrill

/ θrɪl /

noun

1. a sudden sensation of excitement and pleasure

   seeing his book for sale gave him a thrill

2. a situation producing such a sensation

   it was a thrill to see Rome for the first time

3. a trembling sensation caused by fear or emotional shock

4. pathol an abnormal slight tremor associated with a heart or vascular murmur, felt on palpation

verb

1. to feel or cause to feel a thrill

2. to tremble or cause to tremble; vibrate or quiver

Other Word Forms

• subthrill noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of thrill¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English thrillen originally, “to penetrate,” metathetic variant of thirlen “to pierce; thrill” ( thirl )

Word History and Origins

Origin of thrill¹

Old English thӯrlian to pierce, from thyrel hole; see _nostril , _through

Example Sentences

Famous fans include fellow writer David Nicholls, and singer Dua Lipa, who said: "Helen Garner's work is a thrilling discovery. She's one of the most fascinating writers I have come across."

Read more on BBC

But Van de Ven retained his place in the starting line-up and made peace with his manager and the supporters in thrilling fashion.

Read more on Barron's

It’s the same thrill I get from a few bedrock recipes, the ones so deeply memorized they become launchpads for improvisation.

Read more on Salon

In the deciding third Test, Harris could barely walk, yet his seven wickets in the match secured a thrilling win.

Read more on BBC

"We were thrilled to discover that a cell's nutrient status, especially its leucine levels, directly impacts energy production," said Dr. Qiaochu Li, the study's first author.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• animate 
• delight 
• electrify 
• enchant 
• fire up 
• inspire 
• tickle 
• titillate 
• wow