exhilarate

IPA/ɪɡˈzɪləreɪt/
KK[ɪɡzˈɪlɚˌet]IPA/ɪɡˈzɪləreɪt/

exhilarate — verb

  • exhilaratepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • exhilarateshe / she / it
  • exhilaratedpast simple
  • exhilarating-ing form

1. To make someone feel so happy and excited that they suddenly have more energy.

1.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

To make someone feel so happy and excited that they suddenly have more energy.

Example

The fast ride down the snowy hill exhilarated Minho and his cousins.

pattern: exhilarate + object

Sofia felt exhilarated when the crowd cheered after the goal.

common passive: feel exhilarated

Common collocations
  • exhilarate the crowd
  • exhilarate young players
  • exhilarate fans
  • exhilarate visitors
  • feel exhilarated after a win
Synonyms
  • excite

    Broader and more neutral, without the same strong sense of lifted energy.

  • thrill

    Usually stronger and often linked to surprise, speed, or risk.

  • invigorate

    Focuses more on renewed physical or mental energy than on joy.

Antonyms
  • bore

    Used when something fails to interest someone instead of lifting their mood.

  • depress

    Stronger and more emotional, suggesting that something makes someone feel low.

Grammar Patterns

exhilarate + object

be exhilarated by + noun

Usage Note

Object is usually a person or group, and the cause is often a success, a fast activity, or a vivid experience. English also often uses exhilarated after feel or be to describe the resulting emotion.

Common Mistakes

The holiday exhilarated.
The holiday exhilarated the children.
This verb normally needs an object because something exhilarates someone.
I was very exhilarate after the concert.
I was very exhilarated after the concert.
After be, English normally uses the past participle exhilarated for the feeling.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Exhilarate' means to fill someone with lively joy and energy. 'Excite' is broader and can describe any strong interest or eagerness, even before something happens. 'Thrill' is often stronger and suggests a sudden rush, especially from speed, risk, or spectacular news. 'Invigorate' focuses more on renewed physical or mental energy than on emotional excitement. A cold swim may invigorate you even if it does not delight you, while a winning goal may exhilarate the whole stadium. A new project can excite a team because it sounds promising. A roller coaster can thrill riders because of fear mixed with pleasure. Use 'exhilarate' when an experience leaves people intensely happy and alive.

exhilarate ↗excite ↗thrill ↗invigorate ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • exhilarate the crowd
  • exhilarate fans
  • exhilarate young players

Adverbs

  • instantly exhilarate
  • greatly exhilarate

Phrases

  • feel exhilarated after a win
  • be exhilarated by the ride

Prepositions

  • be exhilarated by

Etymology

LatinEnglish

English borrowed this verb from Latin exhilarare, built from ex- and hilarare, meaning 'make cheerful'. The modern word still keeps that idea of lifting someone's spirits and filling them with bright excitement.

First known use

1540

1540, in the meaning defined above