excitable

play

adjective ex·cit·able \ ik-ˈsī-tə-bəl \

Definition of excitable

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

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excitability

play \ik-ˌsī-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

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excitableness

play \ik-ˈsī-tə-bəl-nəs\ noun

See excitable defined for English-language learners

See excitable defined for kids

Examples of excitable in a Sentence

an excitable child who needs a stable home life

Recent Examples of excitable from the Web

Where Schilling is excitable and geeky, Bartusiak is dreamier in mood and more stately in tone.

— james ryerson, New York Times, "The Chirps and Ripples in the Universe That Prove Einstein Was Right," 25 Aug. 2017
But the real question is: How much triteness can Hollywood unload on the public even when everybody knows that Hollywood condescends to most moviegoers in envisioning them as easily excitable adolescent boys?

— armond white, National Review, "From the Land of the Moon," 28 July 2017
The Belgian, whose position at the club is under threat by new signing Dani Alves, was asked by excitable fans on Twitter about the potential arrival of Neymar in a record €222m deal, and his response was excellent.

— SI.com, "Thomas Meunier's Hilarious Reaction to Viral Reports of Neymar's Potential Move to PSG," 20 July 2017
Lauren King Thompson, who plays a wealthy heiress and a scheming social climber, among others, has a memorable duet with the superb Chaz Feuerstine, whose characters include an ambitious reporter and an amusingly excitable police inspector.

— james hebert, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Cygnet's 'Animal Crackers' takes silly to the extreme," 9 July 2017
However, these days excitable nerds are once again inserting coins into public gaming spaces, at least virtually.

— gogo lidz, Newsweek, "Virtual Reincarnation: Dying Again and Again in a Virtual Reality Arcade," 29 May 2017
Migos are excitable and have an easy way with anthems — their party is relentless and loud.

— jon caramanica, New York Times, "Review: Future and Migos, Onstage With Their Hits on Shuffle," 21 May 2017
We're expected to accept their charms as self-evident, as if the merely being small, big-eyed and excitable should suffice without any additional consideration of character.

— charles bramesco, Esquire, "America Is Better Than Baby Groot," 8 May 2017
Jon Michell’s excitable Mayor Shinn is filled with red-faced bluster, well matched by Shannon Page as the mayor’s ostentatious yet more easygoing wife Eulalie, with Johnnie Gillies a persistent, determined Charlie Cowell.

— eric marchese, Orange County Register, "Solid casting helps ‘Music Man’ hit the high notes," 1 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'excitable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of excitable

1609

excitable Synonyms

Synonyms

fiddle-footed, flighty, fluttery, high-strung, hyper, hyperactive, hyperexcitable, hyperkinetic, jittery, jumpy, nervous, skittery, skittish, spasmodic, spooky

Antonyms

imperturbable, nerveless, unexcitable, unflappable, unshakable

Related Words

hot-blooded, mercurial, temperamental, unstable, volatile, volcanic; anxious, edgy, flibbertigibbety, nervy, tense, uptight; emotional, emotionalistic, hypersensitive, intense, sensitive, soulful; dramatic, histrionic, melodramatic; irascible, irritable, perturbable, prickly, testy, touchy

Near Antonyms

calm, collected, cool, serene, tranquil; easy, easygoing, laid-back, relaxed

EXCITABLE Defined for English Language Learners

excitable

play

adjective

Definition of excitable for English Language Learners

: easily excited

EXCITABLE Defined for Kids

excitable

play

adjective ex·cit·able \ ik-ˈsī-tə-bəl \

Definition of excitable for Students

:easily excited

Medical Dictionary

excitable

play

adjective ex·cit·able \ ik-ˈsīt-ə-bəl \

medical Definition of excitable

of living tissue or an organism

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

the biochemistry of excitable membranes
—Science

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excitability

play \-ˌsīt-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē\ noun plural -ties

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excitable

Definition of excitable

excitability

excitableness

From the M-W Editors

Examples of excitable in a Sentence

Recent Examples of excitable from the Web

First Known Use of excitable

excitable Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

EXCITABLE Defined for English Language Learners

excitable

Definition of excitable for English Language Learners

EXCITABLE Defined for Kids

excitable

Definition of excitable for Students

Medical Dictionary

excitable

medical Definition of excitable

excitability

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