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Added 9 October 2026

thrill

/θɹɪl/ noun

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about thrill at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

The swift release of a store of affective force.
they got a great bang out of it
An almost pleasurable sensation of fright.
a frisson of surprise shot through him
Something that causes you to experience a sudden intense feeling or sensation.
the thrills of space travel

verb

Cause to be thrilled by some perceptual input.
The men were thrilled by a loud whistle blow
Feel sudden intense sensation or emotion.
he was thrilled by the speed and the roar of the engine
Tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement.

Origin

From Old English þȳrlian (“to pierce”), derived from þȳrel (“hole”) (archaic English thirl). Doublet of thirl (verb).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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