thriller

[thril-er]

noun

1. a person or thing that thrills.

2. an exciting, suspenseful play or story, especially a mystery story.

thriller

/ ˈθrɪlə /

noun

1. a book, film, play, etc, depicting crime, mystery, or espionage in an atmosphere of excitement and suspense

2. a person or thing that thrills

thriller

1. A suspenseful, sensational story or film: “Ken Follett writes best-selling spy thrillers.”

In Great Britain, the word thriller is sometimes used for all mystery novels: “Martha Grimes, an American, writes British-style thrillers.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of thriller¹

1885–90; 1920–25 thriller for def. 2; thrill + -er ¹

Example Sentences

One of the better crime thrillers of the year, it was—along with “Boots,” “Task,” “Landman” and “Death by Lightning”—the kind of sturdy American stuff that didn’t insult one’s intelligence.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Oscars’ international feature class of 2026 includes sweeping epics, intense thrillers, black comedies and haunting dramas, but three submissions put young female performers at the forefront.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Besides romance and action, the actor also delivered hits that were suspense thrillers and comedies.

Read more on BBC

He's introduced some terrific players into the fold and has overseen many thrillers.

Read more on BBC

The 25-year-old actress has been working for about a decade in horror movies, indie comedies and crime thrillers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conundrum 
• enigma 
• problem 
• question 
• riddle 
• secrecy 
• subtlety