excitement

noun

ex·​cite·​ment ik-ˈsīt-mənt 

1

: something that excites or rouses

2

: the action of exciting : the state of being excited

Synonyms of excitement

• encouragement
• stimulation
• stimulus
• motivation
• incentive

Examples of excitement in a Sentence

Our excitement was building as the end of the game approached.

His hands shook with excitement.

The child cried out in excitement.

a trip filled with excitement and adventure

She talked about the excitements of her new life.

This job loses its excitement after a while.

Recent Examples on the Web

To use satire to confirm does not bring with it dramatic excitement and risks a certain smugness of point of view. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

Fast-forward to Arjona’s campaign shoot, and the excitement hadn’t turned down a notch. — Vogue, 2 Nov. 2026

This relatively new spot hit Flatiron earlier this year, bringing a fresh excitement to the Thai food scene in midtown. — Ali Domrongchai, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026

But the overall series of challenges, with a little extra excitement thrown in by an afternoon of rare inclement weather in Los Angeles, revealed the character of each car. — Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing excitement

• hyper-excitement
• tingle with excitement

Rhymes for excitement

• incitement
• indictment

Kids Definition

excitement

noun

ex·​cite·​ment ik-ˈsīt-mənt 

1

: something that excites

2

: the state of being excited : agitation

Medical Definition

excitement

noun

ex·​cite·​ment -ˈsīt-mənt 

1

: the act of exciting

2

: the state of being excited: as

a

: aroused, augmented, or abnormal activity of an organism or functioning of an organ or part

b

: extreme motor hyperactivity (as in catatonic schizophrenia or bipolar disorder)