thrill
Americanverb (used with object)
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to affect with a sudden wave of keen emotion or excitement, as to produce a tremor or tingling sensation through the body.
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to utter or send forth tremulously, as a melody.
verb (used without object)
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to affect one with a wave of emotion or excitement.
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to be stirred by a tremor or tingling sensation of emotion or excitement.
He thrilled at the thought of home.
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to cause a prickling or tingling sensation.
Brisk cold thrills the skin.
noun
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a sudden wave of keen emotion or excitement, sometimes manifested as a tremor or tingling sensation passing through the body.
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something that produces or is capable of producing such a sensation.
a story full of thrills.
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a thrilling experience.
It was a thrill to see Paris again.
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a vibration or quivering.
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Pathology. an abnormal tremor or vibration, as in the respiratory or vascular system.
noun
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a sudden sensation of excitement and pleasure
seeing his book for sale gave him a thrill
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a situation producing such a sensation
it was a thrill to see Rome for the first time
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a trembling sensation caused by fear or emotional shock
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pathol an abnormal slight tremor associated with a heart or vascular murmur, felt on palpation
verb
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to feel or cause to feel a thrill
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to tremble or cause to tremble; vibrate or quiver
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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thrillsimple
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thrillssimple
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have thrilledperfect
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has thrilledperfect
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am thrillingprogressive
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are thrillingprogressive
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is thrillingprogressive
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have been thrillingperfect progressive
-
has been thrillingperfect progressive
Past
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thrilledsimple
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had thrilledperfect
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was thrillingprogressive
-
were thrillingprogressive
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had been thrillingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of thrill
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English thrillen originally, “to penetrate,” metathetic variant of thirlen “to pierce; thrill” ( see thirl)
Explanation
Thrill doesn’t refer to any old type of excitement; this stuff is intense. For many people, the experience of riding a roller coaster provides a great thrill, or an intense feeling of excitement. Thrill comes from an Old English word meaning “pierce,” suggesting the metaphor of being “pierced by emotion.” Thrill is often used in a strictly positive sense, though it can also refer to the unique combination of terror and pleasure that some people experience in certain situations — for example, when riding death-defying roller coasters or watching frightening flicks (often called thrillers).
Vocabulary lists containing thrill
Selection Vocabulary 3, Unit 3
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Vocabulary Review, Unit 1
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Unit 10, Week 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
When the chandelier falls, Production Stage Manager Jovon E. Shuck wants audiences to feel a fresh thrill of terror.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
Is the thrill in the chips trade gone?
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 19, 2026
It’s to experience the visceral thrill and nerve-shredding tension that occurs when two genuine powers square off, with the promise of history-making triumph, individual glory and intense national humiliation all hanging in the balance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 2026
He has a "license to thrill," it says.
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026
Ophie felt a brief thrill at the thought that Penelope might have the same ability she did—a new friend, and one to whom she might be able to talk to about ghosts.
From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland
Rock N Roll Circus, as its name suggests, mixes the traditional elements of a music festival with the thrills of high-wire and fire displays.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
Action, suspense, and noir thrills are all great.
From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026
Italian luxury carmaker Ferrari has unveiled its first fully electric model, the Luce, belatedly joining rivals like Porsche and Lamborghini to offer clean-energy driving thrills.
From Barron's ● May 26, 2026
But Arden and his team make “The Lost Boys” about so much more than violent thrills.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026
For years a mysterious, sinister man known as Trademaster had appeared now and then in the village, bringing tawdry thrills and temptations but leaving chaos and discontentment behind.
From "Son" by Lois Lowry
"I'm thrilled to say welcome back to the White House, and maybe I'll see you again next year," said Trump.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
There is a danger, however, that Lego’s light touch might backfire, and parents won’t be thrilled about paying premium prices for a toy that essentially has a few extra beeps and boops.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026
And even though the Dodgers didn’t exactly see the Freeman comparison Lowrance mentioned, they would be thrilled if he turned out anything like the 10-time All-Star.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2026
England have both thrilled and infuriated under the pair with a playing style and approach to the game that has divided fans and pundits alike.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
The winners were thrilled and promised to share the pen fairly among them and write many prompt thank-you notes with it.
From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood
But Finch, 59, anchored a band whose calling card was thrilling, glorious bluntness.
From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2026
However, England fans who stayed with the team for the match with France were treated to a thrilling 10-goal match.
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
England hit the highest one-day international total at Lord's to beat India by 27 runs and seal a thrilling 2-1 series victory.
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
That Sybylla does, in fact, resist, choosing independence over love and the possibility of perennial pillow fights, makes “My Brilliant Career” so daring and thrilling.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
It was also thrilling to see Deidre Baker’s lower lip begin to quiver.
From "It All Comes Down to This" by Karen English
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.