What does palpitated mean?
Palpitated is the past-tense form of palpitate, meaning to beat or move with a rapid, fluttering motion. Its clearest and most common application is to a heart that seems to race, pound, or flutter because of fear, excitement, anticipation, or exertion: “Her heart palpitated when she saw the results.” The word can also describe a person trembling emotionally, although that use is more figurative and literary. Palpitated has a formal, expressive tone and is especially common in fiction, memoir, and descriptive prose. Its unusual sound conveys both physical vibration and heightened feeling, making it useful when the effect itself matters as much as the underlying cause. The related noun palpitation refers to the sensation or act of fluttering, such as a rapid heartbeat or a feeling of nervous excitement.
verbTo feel or move with a quick, fluttering heartbeat, especially because of fear, excitement, or exertion. In figurative use, it means to quiver or tremble with intense emotion.
- To beat or move with a rapid fluttering motion, especially the heart.
- To tremble or quiver with fear, excitement, or another intense emotion.
"Her heart palpitated as she approached the stage to receive the award."
"The horse's flanks palpitated as it raced toward the finish line."
"She palpitated at the possibility of receiving the scholarship."
The word comes from the same Latin root as “palpable”: both begin with the idea of touching or feeling something.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does palpitated come from?
The verb palpitate derives from Latin palpātāre, meaning “to touch, feel, or examine by touch.” English later developed the sense of a rapid fluttering or throbbing motion, particularly in reference to the heart. The root is shared with palpate, palpable, and palpation, all of which preserve the idea of touching or sensing through touch.
Related word forms
How palpitated is actually used
Palpitated is slightly formal and literary in general use. It most often describes a rapidly beating heart, whether from physical exertion or strong emotion, and is commonly used in narrative or descriptive writing.
Easily confused with palpitated
Palpate means to examine by touch, whereas palpitated means to beat or flutter rapidly, especially as a heartbeat.