English Reference
Adjective

suspenseful

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /səˈspɛnsfəɫ/ UK /səspˈɛnsfəl/ sus·pense·ful

adj.keeping you waiting or worrying because you do not know what will happen next. It describes a situation or story that makes you feel excited and nervous at the same time.

adj.causing a state of anxious uncertainty or excitement. Often describes narratives or events where the outcome is unknown or delayed.


SIMPLE

The movie has a very suspenseful ending.

CONTEXTUAL

The audience sat in silence, waiting for the suspenseful reveal of the winner.

COMPLEX

The author builds a suspenseful atmosphere by withholding key details until the final chapter, keeping readers engaged through a sense of impending doom.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated