# thrilling

/ˈθɹɪɫɪŋ/ (US) · /θɹˈɪlɪŋ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. exciting

adjective · CEFR B1

causing a sudden feeling of great excitement or pleasure.

For teachers: causing a sudden, intense feeling of excitement, pleasure, or exhilaration.

- The roller coaster ride was thrilling and made everyone scream with joy.
- The final minutes of the match provided a thrilling conclusion to an otherwise predictable tournament, leaving the spectators in a state of pure euphoria.

### 2. the act of feeling excitement

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the experience or act of feeling a sudden rush of excitement.

For teachers: the experience of a sudden wave of keen emotion or excitement; often used as a gerund.

- The thrilling of the audience was evident from their loud cheers.
- The sudden thrilling of his nerves suggested that the danger he had anticipated was finally close at hand.

## Examples

- The roller coaster ride was absolutely thrilling.
- The team scored a goal in the final minute, ending the match in a thrilling victory.
- The novel's thrilling climax masterfully weaves together several subplots, leaving the reader breathless as the protagonist narrowly escapes a series of increasingly dangerous traps.

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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.