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

Flushed excitement, climbing the ladder. —Allegra Goodman, New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2026

But then, equal amount of excitement. —Tracy Smith, CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026

The excitement Moses radiated served as testament to Rhett Lashlee’s assessment of his roster coming together to finish out the season, even after the disappointment of falling short of a return ACC Championship Game appearance. —Kyle Kensing, Dallas Morning News, 3 Jan. 2026

When there is a disconnect between people’s real-world experiences and the excitement felt on trading floors or in boardrooms, trouble can loom. —Oscar Täckström, Fortune, 3 Jan. 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)