# thrill

/ˈθɹɪɫ/ (US) · /θɹˈɪl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/thrill
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. excitement

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. an exciting event

noun · CEFR B2

something that causes you to feel very excited.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. medical vibration

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. to excite someone

verb · CEFR B2

to make someone feel very excited or happy.

For teachers: 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'.

### 5. to vibrate

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to shake or vibrate slightly.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She felt a thrill of excitement when she won the race.
- The roller coaster provides a huge thrill for people who enjoy fast rides and steep drops.
- While some find the thrill of high-stakes gambling addictive, others are repelled by the inherent risk and the potential for devastating financial loss.

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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.