titillate

1 of 2

verb

tit·​il·​late ˈti-tə-ˌlāt 

titillated; titillating

transitive verb

1

: to excite pleasurably : arouse by stimulation

2

: tickle sense 1

intransitive verb

: to act as a stimulant to pleasurable excitement

titillation

ˌti-tə-ˈlā-shən 

noun

titillative

ˈti-tə-ˌlā-tiv 

adjective

titillation

2 of 2

noun

tit·​il·​la·​tion ˌtitᵊlˈāshən 

-itᵊl-

plural -s

1

: the action of titillating or the state of being titillated

especially : a pleasurable excitement or stimulation (as of the mind or senses)

2

: a sensation of being titillated : a transient reaction from or as if from being tickled : a slight thrill especially of pleasure

Synonyms of titillate

Verb

• excite
• thrill
• electrify

Examples of titillate in a Sentence

Verb

a film made to titillate the audience

writing that titillates and provokes

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Grace is delighted and titillated by Todd’s speculation, and in the middle of a G7 Summit preparation meeting with Billie and Gannon, quietly asks Hal if Kate is pregnant. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026

Sheerness continues less as a means to titillate, but instead brings a sense of lightness to the season. — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026

Brands today need nuance to be titillating—nudity and provocation are too available. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 2 Sep. 2026

So there’s a lot for Mark to be titillated by in that moment. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin titillatus, past participle of titillare

Noun

Middle English titillacione, from Latin titillation-, titillatio, from titillatus (past participle of titillare to titillate) + -ion-, -io -ion

First Known Use

Verb

1620, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for titillate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

titillate

verb

tit·​il·​late ˈtit-ᵊl-ˌāt 

titillated; titillating

1

: tickle entry 1 sense 1

2

: to excite pleasurably

titillation

ˌtit-ᵊl-ˈā-shən 

noun