# adrenaline

/əˈdɹɛnəɫən/ (US) · /ɐdɹˈɛnəlˌɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/adrenaline
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the hormone

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a chemical in your body that makes your heart beat faster when you are stressed or excited.

For teachers: the hormone epinephrine, secreted by the adrenal glands, which increases cardiac output and raises glucose levels in the blood.

- The doctor gave him a shot of adrenaline to stop the allergic reaction.
- Adrenaline is released into the bloodstream during the fight-or-flight response, preparing the body for immediate physical exertion.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun in medical contexts.

### 2. excitement

noun · CEFR B2

a feeling of great energy and excitement.

For teachers: a state of heightened physiological arousal or intense excitement.

- I felt a rush of adrenaline as I stood at the top of the mountain.
- Extreme sports enthusiasts often seek the adrenaline hit that comes from activities like skydiving or rock climbing.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'adrenaline rush'.

## Examples

- My heart raced with adrenaline after the scare.
- The runner felt a surge of adrenaline as the starting gun fired.
- The sudden drop in blood sugar triggered an adrenaline release, causing her hands to shake and her mind to race.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.