What does exhilaratingly mean?
"Exhilaratingly" is an adverb meaning in a manner that thrills, delights, or fills with high spirits. It derives from the verb "exhilarate," which traces back to the Latin "hilaris," meaning cheerful — the same root that gives us "hilarious." Used chiefly in descriptive and narrative writing, it intensifies actions or qualities that produce a rush of joy: a roller coaster may plunge exhilaratingly, a mountain summit may appear exhilaratingly close, or a performance may be exhilaratingly daring. The word carries an unambiguously positive, energizing connotation, suggesting not mere pleasure but a vivid, almost physical uplift. Because it is somewhat formal and literary, it appears more often in reviews, travel writing, and sports commentary than in casual speech, where simpler words like "excitingly" might be preferred.
adverbIn a manner that makes one feel very happy, animated, or elated; thrillingly or exhilaratingly.
- In a way that produces feelings of excitement, joy, or elation.
"The roller coaster plunged exhilaratingly through the misty gorge."
"The skier raced exhilaratingly down the untouched powder."
"Her speech was exhilaratingly bold, leaving the audience buzzing."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of exhilaratingly
"Exhilaratingly" is formed from the verb "exhilarate" plus the adverbial suffix "-ly." "Exhilarate" comes from the Latin "exhilarare," meaning to make cheerful, built on "hilaris" (cheerful), which itself likely derives from Greek "hilarios." The verb entered English in the early 17th century, with the adverb form following later as derivative morphology.
Related word forms
How exhilaratingly is actually used
Exhilaratingly is a formal to literary adverb, more common in descriptive or narrative writing than everyday conversation. It carries an unambiguously positive connotation of energizing delight.