ENGLISH
REFERENCE

exhilarating

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ɪɡˈzɪɫɝˌeɪtɪŋ// UK //ɛɡzˈɪlɐɹˌeɪtɪŋ// ex·hil·a·rat·ing

adj. making you feel very happy, excited, and full of energy. You use this to describe things like fast rides or big successes.

adj. causing strong feelings of excitement and happiness; invigorating. Often used to describe physical activities or intense emotional experiences.


SIMPLE

The roller coaster ride was exhilarating.

CONTEXTUAL

Standing on the mountain peak after a long climb provided an exhilarating sense of achievement.

COMPLEX

The exhilarating pace of the city's nightlife can be overwhelming for those accustomed to a quieter existence, yet it remains the primary draw for young professionals.

Synonyms
Origin

By surface analysis, exhilarate + -ing.

Usage

Typically used as a predicative adjective after linking verbs like 'be' or 'feel', or attributively before a noun.

Pitfall

I felt exhilarating after the raceI felt exhilarated after the raceLearners often confuse the -ing adjective (the cause) with the -ed adjective (the feeling). Use 'exhilarating' for the activity and 'exhilarated' for the person.

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