English Explanatory Dictionary

exhilarate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To cheer, to cheer up, to gladden, to make happy, to elate.
  2. To excite, to thrill.

Pronunciation

/ɪɡˈzɪləɹeɪt/ /ɛɡ-/ /ɪɡˈzɪləˌɹeɪt/ en-au-exhilarate.ogg en-us-exhilarate.ogg

Word forms

exhilarate exhilarates exhilarating exhilarated

Etymology

From Latin exhilarō (“to delight, to gladden, to make merry”), from ex- (“out, away”) (from Proto-Indo-European *h₁eǵʰs (“out”)) + hilarō (“to cheer, to gladden”), from hilaris (“cheerful, light-hearted, lively”), from Ancient Greek ἱλαρός (hilarós, “cheerful, merry”), from ἵλαος (hílaos, “gracious, kind, propitious”), from Proto-Indo-European *selh₂- (“comfort, mercy”). By surface analysis, ex- + Latin hilar(ō) + -ate.

Synonyms

blissen enliven light up stimulate animate arouse awaken beghast leaven bright brighten cheer energize enthuse exalt excite fire up ginger ginger up inflame invigorate inspire inspirit jazz kindle liven liven up perk up quicken spice spice up vitalise beatify enrapture begladden fetch cheer up cherish content delight elate elevate enbliss exhilarate fain gay gladden gladden someone's heart gratify happify happy hearten jollify laetificate make someone's day please raise someone's spirits rejoice turn the frown upside down upcheer

Related words

hilarious hilariously hilariousness hilarity Hilary

Derived words

exhilarant exhilarating exhilaratingly exhilaration exhilarative exhilarator exhilaratory
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