thrill

American  

[thril] / θrɪl /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of thrill

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

Example Sentences

That kinship is what makes Coppola’s first documentary, “Marc by Sofia,” such a thrill — and also what occasionally holds the film back.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

Police said the helicopter was operated by Airborne Aviation, a company whose website advertises "a doors-off thrill seekers adventure tour" of the picturesque island's waterfalls, canyons, and beaches.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

“For the writer,” she noted in an essay, “the nastiest event carries with it a little thrill like the discovery of a vein of gold: I can use this in a story.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

He knows that “Marty Supreme” holds an unflattering mirror up to his own drive and allows that to become its own backhanded compliment to the thrill of watching an actor chase success at all costs.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

I felt a small thrill saying those words under my breath.

From "It All Comes Down to This" by Karen English

Related Words

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