English Reference
Verb

arouse

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ɝˈaʊz/ UK /ɐɹˈaʊz/ arouse UK spelling arouses, arousing

v.to cause a feeling or an emotion in someone. You use this when something makes you feel curious, angry, or excited.

v.to cause a feeling, emotion, or state of being in someone. Often used in formal or literary contexts to describe the stimulation of the senses or the mind.


SIMPLE

The loud music will arouse the neighbors.

CONTEXTUAL

The professor's passionate speech was designed to arouse interest in the new research project among the students.

COMPLEX

The scent of fresh rain often arouses a sense of nostalgia in those who grew up in the countryside, triggering memories of childhood summers spent outdoors.


From a- + rouse.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated