Word
arousal
US/ɝˈaʊzəɫ/
UK/ɐɹˈaʊsəl/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a state of being awake, alert, and physically active. It can also mean a feeling of excitement or sexual interest.
n. a physiological and psychological state of being awake or reactive to stimuli. Refers to the activation of the reticular activating system in the brain, leading to increased heart rate and blood pressure.
Examples
“The loud music caused a high level of arousal in the crowd.”
“Psychologists study how emotional arousal affects a person's ability to remember specific details of a stressful event.”
“The Yerkes-Dodson law suggests that performance increases with physiological or mental arousal, but only up to a point; when levels become too high, performance actually begins to decrease.”
Examples
simple
“The loud music caused a high level of arousal in the crowd.”
contextual
“Psychologists study how emotional arousal affects a person's ability to remember specific details of a stressful event.”
complex
“The Yerkes-Dodson law suggests that performance increases with physiological or mental arousal, but only up to a point; when levels become too high, performance actually begins to decrease.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “arousal” in context.
Adjective
01. emotional arousal
“High levels of emotional arousal can sometimes impair a person's ability to make rational decisions.”
adj + noun
Usage
Often used in medical, psychological, or sexual contexts; frequently paired with 'emotional', 'physiological', or 'sexual'.
Real-World Examples
“Likewise, "rage" and "sadness" are both unpleasant emotions, yet they also differ in arousal.” “Two of the main ways exercise can upgrade your sex life are that your body gets better at arousal and your mind less likely to interrupt it.” Etymology
From arouse + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/arousal