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excitement

US //ɪkˈsaɪtmənt// UK //ɛksˈaɪtmənt// ex·cite·ment
  1. 1 feeling of being excited (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the feeling of being happy, eager, and full of energy because something good is happening or will happen.

    the state of being emotionally aroused, typically characterized by positive anticipation or intense interest.

    Example

    The children could hardly sleep because of their excitement about the trip to the zoo.

    Example

    The palpable excitement in the stadium reached a crescendo as the home team emerged from the tunnel for the final match of the season.

    Usage

    Often used with the prepositions 'about' or 'at'.

    Pitfall
    The children were full of exciting before the party.
    The children were full of excitement before the party.

    Use the noun 'excitement' for the feeling itself; 'exciting' is an adjective used to describe the thing that causes the feeling.

  2. 2 an exciting event (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    something that happens which is very interesting or makes you feel energetic.

    a specific event, activity, or circumstance that produces a state of arousal or interest.

    Example

    After years of living in a quiet village, she missed the excitement of the big city.

    Example

    The sudden arrival of a film crew provided a welcome excitement to the otherwise predictable routine of the small coastal town.

    Usage

    In this sense, the noun is often used as a countable noun or preceded by 'the'.

Origin

From Middle English excitement, from Old French excitement, equivalent to excite + -ment.

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