excite

verb

ex·​cite ik-ˈsīt 

ek-

excited; exciting

transitive verb

1

a

: to call to activity

b

: to rouse to an emotional response

scenes to excite the hardest man to pity

c

: to arouse (something, such as a strong emotional response) by appropriate stimuli

excite enthusiasm for the new regime

—Arthur Knight

2

a

: energize

excite an electromagnet

b

: to produce a magnetic field in

excite a dynamo

3

: to increase the activity of (something, such as a living organism) : stimulate

drugs that excite the central nervous system

4

: to raise (an atomic nucleus, an atom, a molecule, etc.) to a higher energy level

Synonyms of excite

• thrill
• electrify
• delight
• inspire

Choose the Right Synonym for excite

provoke, excite, stimulate, pique, quicken mean to arouse as if by pricking.

provoke directs attention to the response called forth.

my stories usually provoke laughter

excite implies a stirring up or moving profoundly.

news that excited anger and frustration

stimulate suggests a rousing out of lethargy, quiescence, or indifference.

stimulating conversation

pique suggests stimulating by mild irritation or challenge.

that remark piqued my interest

quicken implies beneficially stimulating and making active or lively.

the high salary quickened her desire to have the job

Examples of excite in a Sentence

ideas that excite young people

Our announcement excited the children.

The posters excited much interest in the show.

Recent Examples on the Web

Being in a state of desire produces physical reactions that are difficult to manufacture — sweat, blood rushing, dilated pupils — while offering up the human impulses behind the work, like what excites a designer and what they’re drawn to. — Amy Francombe, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026

Other nuclei have energy gaps that are too large for lasers to excite. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026

Interesting in a good way that actually excited me for where Taylor could go next sonically and lyrically? — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2026

Investors were excited by the prospect of an alternative to Nvidia to power AI. — Isabel O'Brien, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French exciter, from Latin excitare, from ex- + citare to rouse — more at cite

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for excite

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

excite

verb

ex·​cite ik-ˈsīt 

excited; exciting

1

: to stir up feeling in

ideas that excite young people

2

: to cause to be felt or done

excite admiration

posters excited interest in the show

3

a

: energize sense 2a

b

: to produce a magnetic field in

4

: to increase the activity of (as nervous tissue) : stimulate

5

: to raise (as an atom) to a higher energy level

exciter noun

Medical Definition

excite

transitive verb

ex·​cite ik-ˈsīt 

excited; exciting

1

: to increase the activity of (as a living organism) : stimulate

2

: to raise (as an atomic nucleus, an atom, or a molecule) to a higher energy level