frisson

[free-sohn, free-sawn]

noun

plural

frissons 

1. 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.

frisson

/ frisɔ̃ /

noun

1. a shudder or shiver; thrill

Word History and Origins

Origin of frisson¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of frisson¹

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

Example Sentences

Indeed, the Maddens found a certain frisson from the get-go in writing about their rough-and-tumble upbringing with a squeaky-clean pop flair.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s the thing that gives the Epstein conspiracy theories their distinctly frothy frisson: a blending of vital ingredients, one very old and the other comparatively new.

From Los Angeles Times

A further frisson came from the sight of Mark Wood training with England at Lord's on Wednesday, stepping up his comeback from a knee injury.

From BBC

After six months out, the sight of Stokes marking out his run sent a frisson of excitement around Trent Bridge.

From BBC

He likes making headlines, enjoys the attention and Murray's presence will add an even greater frisson to his matches.

From BBC