# thriller

/ˈθɹɪɫɝ/ (US) · /θɹˈɪlɐ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. suspenseful story

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- I couldn't put the book down because it was such a gripping thriller.
- The director's latest psychological thriller masterfully builds tension through minimalist sound design and claustrophobic camera angles.

### 2. something exciting

noun · CEFR B2

an event or experience that is very exciting or surprising.

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

- The final minutes of the championship game were a real thriller.
- The election night broadcast proved to be a political thriller, with the lead changing hands several times before the final count.

## Examples

- I am reading a psychological thriller that I cannot put down.
- The director's latest political thriller kept the audience on the edge of their seats until the final scene.
- While many critics dismissed the film as a standard action thriller, its nuanced exploration of corporate surveillance elevated it above the typical genre tropes.

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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.