thrill

[ thril ]

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.

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, 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

/ 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

verb

1. to feel or cause to feel a thrill
2. to tremble or cause to tremble; vibrate or quiver

Other Words From

• sub·thrill noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of thrill¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of thrill¹

Old English thӯrlian to pierce, from thyrel hole; see nostril , through

Example Sentences

Centered on characters from the 2009 animated film “The Princess and the Frog,” Tiana’s Bayou Adventure makes the argument that thrill rides can enchant rather than frighten us.

From Los Angeles Times

“I really want people to feel the thrill of direct human connection,” Leone says.

From Los Angeles Times

"I think the motivation for him was the thrill of the harassment, the control he had over me. He got a fix off the idea he was forcing women to do things."

From BBC

Earlier this month, Slate contributor Magdalene Taylor attended a Tinder-hosted meet-up where she detailed the thrill of having men line up to talk to her, but left feeling “a sense of sadness” about it all, “as well as anxiety about how everyone else who had attended was feeling.”

From Slate

Some are ideological die-hards yearning for Christian nationalism, but others just wanted the thrill of identifying with a shock jock, sowing mayhem, and putting a Black woman in power back in her place.

From Slate

Related Words

• adventure
• fun
• inspiration
• pleasure
• wallop