excitable

adjective

ex·​cit·​able ik-ˈsī-tə-bəl How to pronounce excitable (audio)
Synonyms of excitablenext
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 noun
excitableness noun

Examples of excitable in a Sentence

an excitable child who needs a stable home life
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By 1984, each of the British new wave gods’ first three albums had gone platinum, their cinematic videos were regularly rotated on MTV, and nonstop global touring attracted Swiftian levels of excitable fans. A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026 The venue was crammed with excitable 20- and 30-something women, among them Willa Bennett, the editor of Cosmopolitan and Seventeen. Carrie Battan, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026 Golden retrievers of all ages — from excitable puppies playing in the mud to more mature canines roaming in Santa hats and fairy costumes — filled the park as owners sat drinking yerba mate, a typical Argentine drink, and taking pictures. Miguel Lo Bianco, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025 Skeptical journalists, excitable influencers, and industry insiders alike all climbed aboard an open-top bus for a sightseeing tour of London that culminated at a cramped and stifling-hot theater. Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 7 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for excitable

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of excitable was in 1609

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Excitable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excitable. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

excitable

adjective
ex·​cit·​able ik-ˈsīt-ə-bəl How to pronounce excitable (audio)
1
: easily excited
2
: capable of being excited
excitability noun

Medical Definition

excitable

adjective
ex·​cit·​able ik-ˈsīt-ə-bəl How to pronounce excitable (audio)
of living tissue or an organism
: capable of being activated by and reacting to stimuli : exhibiting irritability
the biochemistry of excitable membranesScience
excitability noun
plural excitabilities

More from Merriam-Webster on excitable

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