excitement
/ɪkˈsaɪt.mənt/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Excitement is a feeling of great interest, joy, or nervous energy. It can also mean a state or event that makes people feel excited.
- There was excitement in the room before the announcement.
- She felt excitement and fear at the same time.
- The match brought a lot of excitement to the city.
Adinary Nuance
Excitement is stronger and more energetic than simple interest. It is close to enthusiasm, but enthusiasm often sounds more steady and positive. Use excitement for a sudden feeling or a lively mood, especially before an event. In writing, it can describe both the feeling and the thing that causes it.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Sự phấn khích
- Spanish
- Emoción
- Chinese
- 兴奋
- Japanese
- 興奮
- Korean
- 흥분
Etymology
Excitement comes from the verb excite, which entered English from Latin excitare, meaning 'to rouse' or 'to wake up'. The noun became common in English in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Common phrases
a feeling of excitementfull of excitementexcitement buildsthe excitement of the moment
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is excitement a positive word?
- Usually yes. It often means happy energy, but it can also include nervousness.
- What is the difference between excitement and enthusiasm?
- Excitement is often more sudden and emotional. Enthusiasm sounds more steady and deeply interested.
- Can I say 'with excitement' in formal writing?
- Yes. It is natural in both everyday and formal writing.