excitable

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​cit·​able ik-ˈsī-tə-bəl 

1

: capable of being readily roused into action or a state of excitement or irritability

2

: capable of being activated by and reacting to stimuli

excitable cells

excitability

ik-ˌsī-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

excitableness

ik-ˈsī-tə-bəl-nəs 

noun

excitability

2 of 2

noun

ex·​cit·​abil·​i·​ty ikˌsītəˈbilətē 

ek-, 

-ītə-, 

-lətē, 

-i

plural -es

: the quality of being excitable

Synonyms of excitable

Adjective

• nervous
• volatile
• anxious
• hyper
• unstable
• hyperactive

Examples of excitable in a Sentence

Adjective

an excitable child who needs a stable home life

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

For perspective, listen to Cubs manager Craig Counsell, who is not exactly excitable or prone to exaggeration. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 24 July 2026

When an excitable teenager cut in front of my dad, Frankenstein — without saying a word — gestured for the kid to be patient and wait, patted my dad on the back and posed for a picture. — Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026

The studio released the official trailer for the film on Thursday, showing Edgar-Jones as the formidable Elinor Dashwood; Esmé Creed-Miles as her excitable sister, Marianne; and Bodhi Rae Breathnach as their youngest sibling, Margaret. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026

The excitable kids had been instructed several times to give Bryce Young room. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing excitable

• hyper-excitable

Rhymes for excitable

• copyrightable

Kids Definition

excitable

adjective

ex·​cit·​able ik-ˈsīt-ə-bəl 

1

: easily excited

2

: capable of being excited

excitability

-ˌsīt-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

Medical Definition

excitable

adjective

ex·​cit·​able ik-ˈsīt-ə-bəl 

of living tissue or an organism

: capable of being activated by and reacting to stimuli : exhibiting irritability

the biochemistry of excitable membranes

—Science

excitability

-ˌsīt-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

plural excitabilities