excite

verb

ik-SYT/ɪkˈsaɪt/

Formsexcites, exciting, excited

4 meanings of excite

1
verbtransitive
To make someone feel happy, eager, or full of energy.
Like shaking a bottle of soda until it fizzes inside.
Loud music and bright lights excite the crowd.
The surprise gift excited her so much that she cried.
Similarmove, touch, affect
Oppositecalm, relax
Note
2
verbtransitive
To bring out a feeling or reaction in someone.
Like poking a fire to make the flames grow.
Sad stories excite strong feelings in many readers.
The smell of fresh bread excited her hunger at once.
Similarprovoke, stimulate, evoke, incite, inflame
Oppositeallay, dampen, soothe
Note
3
verbtransitive
To give an electron more energy so it jumps to a higher level.
Like giving a ball enough of a push to jump onto a higher shelf.
The right kind of light can excite the electrons inside certain materials.
A short burst of energy excited the electron to a higher level.
Similarenergize
Note
4
verbtransitive
To turn on a magnet by sending electric current through it.
Like flipping a switch to turn a light on.
Engineers excite the magnet by switching on the power.
A small battery excited the coil and lifted the metal bar.
Similarenergize, power
Oppositede-energize
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin excitō meaning "to call out, arouse, or stir up," which came into English through Old French exciter.