English Reference

Word

thrill

US/ˈθɹɪɫ/

UK/θɹˈɪl/

Definitions

01excitement

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a sudden feeling of great excitement, pleasure, or fear.

n. a sudden feeling of intense emotion, excitement, or pleasure, often described as a physical sensation.

“She felt a thrill of excitement when she saw her name on the list.”

“The mountain climber described the pure thrill of reaching the summit after weeks of grueling physical exertion.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

02an exciting event

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. something that causes you to feel very excited.

n. an experience or event that produces a sudden wave of excitement or pleasure.

“It was a real thrill to meet the famous author in person.”

“For many travelers, the primary thrill of visiting the city is exploring its hidden underground markets.”

Synonyms

03medical vibration

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Medicine Technical

n. a vibration that a doctor can feel when touching the body, usually near the heart.

n. a fine vibration felt by an examiner on palpation, typically associated with a heart murmur or vascular turbulence.

“The doctor felt a slight thrill when checking the patient's chest.”

“The presence of a palpable thrill over the carotid artery suggested significant turbulent blood flow requiring further investigation.”

Synonyms

04to excite someone

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to make someone feel very excited or happy.

v. to cause someone to experience a sudden wave of intense emotion or pleasure.

“The news of the wedding thrilled the entire family.”

“The soloist's virtuosic performance thrilled the audience, leading to a standing ovation that lasted several minutes.”

Usage

Often used in the passive voice as 'to be thrilled'.

Synonyms

exciteelectrifydelight

Antonyms

05to vibrate

C1 · Advanced Literary

v. to shake or vibrate slightly.

v. to experience or cause a trembling or quivering sensation.

“Her voice thrilled with emotion as she told the story.”

“A low note from the organ made the very air in the cathedral thrill and hum.”

Synonyms

Real-World Examples

“New Zealand quickly turned a three-point lead into 10 and went on to win 33-16 in a thrilling upset.”
The Guardian 28 Aug 2026
“Super Furry Animals were a band I knew only distantly, via the transgressive thrill of that song they had with all the swearing in .”
The Guardian 9 Aug 2026

Etymology

From Old English þȳrlian (“to pierce”), derived from þȳrel (“hole”) (archaic English thirl). Doublet of thirl (verb).

Blend of thread (verb) + drill (verb).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

NOUN

thrill(B2)

Related words

Idioms

Domain

Medicine

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Frequent
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

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English Reference