Definition and Pronunciation
Excite (pronounced: /ɪkˈsaɪt/) is a verb that means to cause strong feelings of enthusiasm, happiness, curiosity, or even sexual arousal. It comes from the Latin excitare, meaning “to call forth” or “to stir up.”
Easy Explanation
To “excite” someone means to make them feel very happy, interested, or energized. It can also mean to cause sexual feelings. For example: The news excited the children (made them happy), or The kiss excited him (sexual arousal).
Grammatical Formation
- Base form: excite
- Past tense: excited
- Continuous: exciting
- Noun form: excitement
- Adjective: excitable, excited, exciting
Word Comparisons
- Excite vs. arouse: “arouse” is more formal and often sexual; “excite” can be emotional or sexual.
- Excite vs. stimulate: “stimulate” often refers to intellectual or physical activity; “excite” is broader and stronger.
- Excite vs. inspire: “inspire” is about positive motivation; “excite” can be neutral or even negative (excitement can also mean agitation).
Meaning with Prepositions
- Excite by: She was excited by the surprise gift.
- Excite about: The kids were excited about the holiday.
- Excite to: less common, but used with actions (He was excited to see her again).
Real-Life Examples
- The concert excited the crowd.
- Children are easily excited by fireworks.
- She excites everyone with her bold ideas.
- The scene in the movie excited him sexually.
Synonyms
thrill, stimulate, energize, arouse, delight, inspire, provoke, stir up, inflame
Antonyms
calm, soothe, relax, settle, pacify, tranquilize, dull
Related Terms
- Excitement – the state of being excited.
- Excitable – easily stirred up or emotionally moved.
- Overexcited – too emotionally stimulated.
- Sexual excitement – sexual arousal.
Common Collocations
- excite interest
- excite curiosity
- excite passion
- excite suspicion
- sexually excite
Idiomatic and Figurative Usage
- Get excited: become happy or enthusiastic.
- Excite the senses: something that strongly appeals to sight, taste, touch, etc.
- Don’t get too excited: used humorously to calm expectations.
Sample Sentences
- The teacher’s story excited the children’s imagination.
- He was excited to travel abroad for the first time.
- The new discovery excited great interest among scientists.
- The erotic novel excited her sexually.
Connection to Sexuality
Yes, “excite” has a clear sexual connection. To “sexually excite” someone means to cause arousal. In medical, psychological, or casual contexts, excitement refers to physical and emotional responses during sexual attraction or intimacy.
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