adrenaline
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a chemical in your body that makes your heart beat faster when you are stressed or excited.
the hormone epinephrine, secreted by the adrenal glands, which increases cardiac output and raises glucose levels in the blood.
Simple“The doctor gave him a shot of adrenaline to stop the allergic reaction.”
In context“Adrenaline is released into the bloodstream during the fight-or-flight response, preparing the body for immediate physical exertion.”
UsageOften used as an uncountable noun in medical contexts.
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a feeling of great energy and excitement.
a state of heightened physiological arousal or intense excitement.
Simple“I felt a rush of adrenaline as I stood at the top of the mountain.”
In context“Extreme sports enthusiasts often seek the adrenaline hit that comes from activities like skydiving or rock climbing.”
UsageCommonly used in the phrase 'adrenaline rush'.
Synonyms
“I think about this carefully, trying to identify the fizzing adrenaline rush inside of me.”
“But then I was on adrenaline thinking: 'I have to keep these people safe'.”
From adrenal + -ine, coined by Japanese chemist Takamine Jōkichi in 1901.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.