# arousal

/ɝˈaʊzəɫ/ (US) · /ɐɹˈaʊsəl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/arousal
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a state of being awake, alert, and physically active. It can also mean a feeling of excitement or sexual interest.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Often used in medical, psychological, or sexual contexts; frequently paired with 'emotional', 'physiological', or 'sexual'.

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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.