Word
aroused
US/ɝˈaʊzd/
UK/ɐɹˈaʊzd/
Definitions
01sexually excited
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. feeling sexually excited.
adj. physiologically and psychologically stimulated in a sexual manner.
“He felt aroused after they spent the evening talking and laughing together.”
“The novel's descriptive passages were intended to leave the reader feeling aroused, though contemporary critics found the prose somewhat heavy-handed.”
Usage
Commonly used in both medical and casual contexts to describe sexual response.
Antonyms
02emotionally stirred up
C1 · Advanced Formal · Academic
adj. having strong feelings like anger, curiosity, or interest woken up.
adj. having specific emotions or physiological responses awakened or stimulated.
“The public's curiosity was aroused by the mysterious news reports.”
“The speaker's controversial remarks left the audience with their passions thoroughly aroused, leading to a heated debate during the Q&A session.”
Teaching tip
In modern English, this sense is often replaced by 'provoked' or 'stirred' unless referring specifically to 'curiosity' or 'suspicion'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03past action of waking or stirring
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. the past tense of 'arouse', meaning to wake someone or start a feeling.
v. the past tense and past participle of the transitive verb 'arouse', meaning to evoke a feeling or to awaken someone from sleep.
“The loud noise outside aroused the sleeping guard.”
“The sudden change in the company's stock price aroused suspicion among the federal regulators, who immediately launched an investigation.”
Usage
As a verb, it always takes a direct object.
Antonyms
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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