English Reference
noun

thriller

n.
US /ˈθɹɪɫɝ/ UK /θɹˈɪlɐ/ thriller UK spelling thrillers

  1. 01 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.

    Simple

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

    In context

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

    suspense storymystery
  2. 02 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.

    Simple

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

    In context

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


From thrill + -er.

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

This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated