excitable

adjective

ex·​cit·​able ik-ˈsī-tə-bəl 

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

excitability

ik-ˌsī-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

excitableness

ik-ˈsī-tə-bəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• nervous
• volatile
• anxious
• hyper
• unstable
• hyperactive

Examples of excitable in a Sentence

an excitable child who needs a stable home life

Recent Examples on the Web

Neurons and glial cells are like dance partners in the brain, coordinating moves that shape how signals flow and how excitable neurons become. —Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2025

Tony has fully bought into the dream, and Skarsgård plays him with excitable, boyish humor, almost as if the whole thing were a game. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2025

Imrie rounds out the core quartet of The Thursday Murder Club as Joyce Meadowcroft, an excitable nurse. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025

High-quality materials ensure structural integrity and stability, even during excitable moments during intense gaming sessions. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing excitable

• hyper-excitable

Rhymes for excitable

• copyrightable

Kids Definition

excitable

adjective

ex·​cit·​able ik-ˈsīt-ə-bəl 

1

: easily excited

2

: capable of being excited

excitability

-ˌsīt-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

Medical Definition

excitable

adjective

ex·​cit·​able ik-ˈsīt-ə-bəl 

of living tissue or an organism

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

the biochemistry of excitable membranes

—Science

excitability

-ˌsīt-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

plural excitabilities