What does thrilling mean?
Thrilling is an adjective describing something that produces intense excitement, suspense, or exhilaration. It is especially appropriate for experiences involving danger, suspense, impressive achievement, or an unusually dramatic development. A thriller may be gripping because of its suspense, while a thrilling performance or victory may inspire exhilaration through skill, courage, or a close outcome. The word is widely used in British and American English and can appear in journalism, entertainment reviews, sport, travel, and everyday conversation. Although it often carries a positive emotional charge, it does not always imply enjoyment: a frightening or dangerous event can be described as thrilling because it creates an intense feeling of anticipation. Thrilling is also frequently used before words such as experience, story, ride, and victory, reflecting its association with emotionally absorbing and memorable events.
adjectiveCausing a feeling of intense excitement, suspense, or exhilaration.
- Causing intense excitement, suspense, or exhilaration.
"The audience remained silent throughout the thrilling final act."
"The documentary offered a thrilling account of the rescue operation."
"They won a thrilling penalty shootout after nearly two hours of play."
Thrilling began as a word for piercing before becoming a description of excitement powerful enough to make you tremble.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does thrilling come from?
Thrilling derives from the English verb thrill, whose early recorded senses included piercing or making a hole. Its modern emotional sense developed later, with the verb acquiring meanings connected with sudden nervous excitement and the making of such excitement in others. The adjective thrilling was formed from that verb by adding the suffix -ing. The older word belongs to a wider etymological family associated with rubbing, turning, or boring, reflected in Latin terere and Greek teirein, both meaning to rub.
Related word forms
How thrilling is actually used
Thrilling is used in standard British and American English. It is usually strongly positive, but it can also emphasize suspense or danger. The adjective is common both before nouns and as a predicate adjective.