# exciting

/ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/ (US) · /ɛksˈaɪtɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/exciting
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. causing enthusiasm

adjective · CEFR A1

making you feel very happy, interested, or enthusiastic.

For teachers: causing great enthusiasm, eagerness, or interest.

- The kids were so happy because they had some exciting news to share.
- The discovery of a well-preserved shipwreck provided an exciting opportunity for marine archaeologists to study eighteenth-century trade routes.

Usage: Usually placed before a noun or after a linking verb like 'be' or 'seem'.

Teaching tip: This is a classic '-ing' vs '-ed' adjective pair. Remind students that 'exciting' describes the source of the emotion.

### 2. sexually stimulating

adjective · CEFR B2

causing sexual interest or feelings.

For teachers: arousing sexual desire or interest.

- The couple found the romantic atmosphere of the city very exciting.
- The director used subtle lighting and music to create an exciting and intimate mood between the two leads.

Teaching tip: While common, this sense is more adult-oriented; in general conversation, the word usually refers to fun or interest.

### 3. the process of arousal

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the act or process of making something active or full of energy.

For teachers: the process of achieving a state of excitation or increased energy, often in a physical or biological context.

- The exciting of the atoms caused them to glow with a bright light.
- The rapid exciting of the nerve endings resulted in an immediate reflex action from the patient.

Usage: Used as a gerund (a noun formed from a verb).

Teaching tip: This noun use is rare outside of scientific or highly formal academic writing.

## Examples

- The movie has an exciting ending.
- Moving to a new city is an exciting opportunity to meet different people and start a new career.
- The discovery of water on the distant planet provided an exciting breakthrough for the research team, suggesting that life might exist beyond our solar system.

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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.