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

• incitation
• incitement
• instigation
• provocation

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

Obscenity laws, most aggressively enforced by the U.S. Postal Service, attempted to keep that excitement within bounds—no uncovered or obviously aroused penises, no affectionate or suggestive physical contact. —Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 May 2025

Everyone joined in and cheered while Rumi jumped around the stage in excitement. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2025

More and more, travelers want a hotel that adds color, flavor, access, and excitement to a trip, instead of just offering a beige backdrop and a place to crash. —Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2025

In kindergarten, the students show a palpable level of excitement as 6-year-old Sarah Schipper collaborates with a dozen other classmates to solve a simple logic game. —Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

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)