ENGLISH
REFERENCE

adrenaline

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //əˈdɹɛnəɫən// UK //ɐdɹˈɛnəlˌɪn// adren·a·line

n. a chemical your body makes when you are stressed or excited. It makes your heart beat faster and gives you extra energy.

n. a hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress or excitement, preparing the body for rapid physical action.


SIMPLE

My heart raced with adrenaline after the scare.

CONTEXTUAL

The runner felt a surge of adrenaline as the starting gun fired.

COMPLEX

The sudden drop in blood sugar triggered an adrenaline release, causing her hands to shake and her mind to race.

Synonyms
Origin

From adrenal + -ine, coined by Japanese chemist Takamine Jōkichi in 1901.

Idioms1 entry

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