thrilling

/ˈθrɪlɪŋ/

/ˈθrɪlɪŋ/

Other forms: thrillingly

When something is thrilling, it makes you feel excited or exhilarated. Roller coasters are thrilling for some people—other people just find them nauseating.

If your heart is beating fast and you feel absolutely elated, something thrilling is happening. Some of us find it thrilling to speak in front of a crowd or to dive into a cold lake. It's also thrilling to see your favorite movie star in person or to get a poem published in a magazine. The adjective thrilling comes from the verb thrill, which originally meant "pierce," and later "give a shivering excitement" or "pierce with emotion."

Definitions of thrilling

1. adjective

   causing a surge of emotion or excitement
   “a thrilling performer to watch”

   synonyms: electrifying

   exciting

   creating or arousing excitement
2. adjective

   causing quivering or shivering as by cold or fear or electric shock
   “a thrilling wind blew off the frozen lake”

   synonyms:

   stimulating

   rousing or quickening activity or the senses