ENGLISH
REFERENCE

thriller

n.
US //ˈθɹɪɫɝ// UK //θɹˈɪlɐ// thriller
  1. 1 suspenseful story (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a book, movie, or play that is very exciting and full of suspense.

    a work of fiction in any medium that relies on suspense, tension, and high stakes to engage the audience.

    Example

    I couldn't put the book down because it was such a gripping thriller.

    Example

    The director's latest psychological thriller masterfully builds tension through minimalist sound design and claustrophobic camera angles.

  2. 2 something exciting (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    an event or experience that is very exciting or surprising.

    an experience, event, or performance that causes a sudden feeling of excitement or intense emotion.

    Example

    The final minutes of the championship game were a real thriller.

    Example

    The election night broadcast proved to be a political thriller, with the lead changing hands several times before the final count.

Origin

From thrill + -er.

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