titillate

[ tit-l-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, tit·il·lat·ed, tit·il·lat·ing.

1. to excite or arouse agreeably, often in a sexually suggestive way:

   She knows how to titillate the senses and enthrall the mind of her readers with her excellent storytelling.

   Synonyms: tempt, rouse

2. to tickle; excite a tingling or itching sensation in, as by touching or stroking lightly.

titillate

/ ˈtɪtɪˌleɪt /

verb

1. to arouse, tease, interest, or excite pleasurably and often superficially
2. to cause a tickling or tingling sensation in, esp by touching

Derived Forms

• ˈtitilˌlating, adjective
• ˌtitilˈlation, noun
• ˈtitilˌlatingly, adverb
• ˈtitilˌlative, adjective

Other Words From

• tit·il·la·tion noun
• tit·il·la·tive adjective
• un·tit·il·lat·ed adjective
• un·tit·il·lat·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of titillate¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from Latin tītillātus, past participle of tītillāre “to tickle”; -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of titillate¹

C17: from Latin tītillāre

Example Sentences

They have flooded social media, shocking and titillating people in the small central African country and beyond.

From BBC

It will know you better than you know you, and you are going to laugh, cry, be titillated—whatever—more than you ever imagined.

From Salon

The odds of capturing any titillating tidbits were not in my favor, but when I took a closer look at her my hopes rose.

From Los Angeles Times

So I was braced for callous reactions to her time on the witness stand, where the adult film actress described an encounter with Trump far more harrowing than titillating.

From Salon

The volumetric flesh, aerodynamic curves and warhead breasts that so titillated Jazz Age Paris became, the show suggests, today’s template for glamazonian feminism.

From New York Times

Related Words

• amuse
• entertain
• tantalize
• tease
• tickle