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.”

Notes

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 fordef 2; thrill + -er ¹

Example Sentences

The Premier League season may only be 11 games old, but already it is shaping up to be a thriller.

From BBC

Starring Ralph Fiennes and set within the private inner sanctum of the Vatican, the movie treats the papal balloting like a thriller.

From Los Angeles Times

The two sides met for the first time since the World Cup thriller in Bordeaux almost 14 months ago which Wales won 32-26.

From BBC

“So much life happens in those four years,” Scott Thomas said of her time on the AppleTV+ thriller series.

From Los Angeles Times

She also has a starring role in the upcoming thriller “Companion.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anxiety
• apprehension
• confusion
• doubt
• insecurity
• tension
• uncertainty