# dopamine

/ˈdɑpəˌmaɪn/ (US) · /dˈɒpɐmˌiːn/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dopamine
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

a chemical in your brain that makes you feel pleasure and motivation. You often feel a rush of it when you get a reward or achieve a goal.

For teachers: a neurotransmitter that plays a central role in the brain's reward system, motor control, and executive function. It mediates the anticipation of pleasure rather than just the pleasure itself.

## Examples

- Winning the game gave him a quick hit of dopamine.
- Social media apps are designed to trigger dopamine releases through likes and notifications, keeping users engaged for longer periods.
- Research suggests that Parkinson's disease is primarily caused by the death of neurons that produce dopamine, leading to the characteristic tremors and loss of motor coordination.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable in its general biological sense; occasionally countable when referring to specific types of dopamine receptors or pathways.

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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.