thrilling

American  

[thril-ing] / ˈθrɪl ɪŋ /

adjective

1. producing sudden, strong, and deep emotion or excitement.

2. producing a tremor, as by chilling.

3. vibrating; trembling; quivering.

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thrilling British  

/ ˈθrɪlɪŋ /

adjective

1. very exciting or stimulating

2. vibrating or trembling

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Other Word Forms

• thrillingly adverb
• unthrilling adjective

Etymology

Origin of thrilling

First recorded in 1520–30; thrill + -ing ²

Explanation

When something is thrilling, it makes you feel excited or exhilarated. Roller coasters are thrilling for some people—other people just find them nauseating. If your heart is beating fast and you feel absolutely elated, something thrilling is happening. Some of us find it thrilling to speak in front of a crowd or to dive into a cold lake. It's also thrilling to see your favorite movie star in person or to get a poem published in a magazine. The adjective thrilling comes from the verb thrill, which originally meant "pierce," and later "give a shivering excitement" or "pierce with emotion."

Example Sentences

It’s a thrilling example of progressive modernist design.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Doncic’s brilliant March unified the team behind his most valuable player push, his thrilling shot-making and even his smiling dunk against Washington.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

The English trio were involved in a pair of thrilling quarter-final first legs last week but nothing has been decided, with those ties concluding on Wednesday.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

There seems no way some of the shots could have been completed except by air, and they’re thrilling.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

“What a thrilling presentation!” the good lady continued.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• breathtaking
• electrifying
• enchanting
• frantic
• gripping
• hair-raising
• miraculous
• riveting
• rousing
• sensational
• stirring