English

exciting

gb/ɪksˈaɪtɪŋ/ us/ɪksˈaɪtɪŋ/
A2 English
~ 2600
Senses
0 senses
adjective A2 property
1

Causing great interest or enthusiasm

Making you feel very interested, happy, or full of energy.

Usage pattern: [something] is exciting
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'exciting' (something causes excitement) with 'excited' (someone feels excitement). For example, 'I am exciting' is incorrect if you mean you feel excitement; it should be 'I am excited'.
Synonyms
thrilling (Suggests an intense and often exhilarating feeling of excitement, sometimes with an element of danger.) | stimulating (Emphasizes mental or emotional engagement rather than physical thrill.)
Antonyms
boring (Lacking interest or excitement; dull.) | dull (Not lively or interesting; lacking brightness or vividness.)
Collocations
exciting opportunity |exciting news |exciting adventure |exciting moment |exciting prospect
Themes
emotions |daily life |entertainment |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • The movie was so exciting that I couldn’t look away.
  • She just told me some exciting news about her job.
  • We have an exciting opportunity to travel abroad next year.
  • The final match was the most exciting game of the season.
  • There’s an exciting new restaurant opening downtown.
Learner examples
  • The book is very exciting.
  • This is an exciting day for me.
  • I saw an exciting show last night.
  • We have exciting plans for the weekend.
adjective B1 property
2

Causing nervous anticipation

Making you feel both happy and nervous because something important is happening or will happen.

Usage pattern: [something] is exciting
Synonyms
tense (Focuses more on nervousness and strain rather than positive anticipation.)
Antonyms
calm (Not causing feelings of nervousness or anticipation; peaceful.)
Collocations
exciting challenge |exciting possibility
Themes
emotions |events |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • Waiting for the results was an exciting experience.
  • It’s always exciting to meet someone you admire.
  • The first day at a new school can be exciting and scary at the same time.
Learner examples
  • Meeting new people is exciting.
  • The first day of school is exciting for me.
  • It is exciting to start a new job.
Grammar
Dictionary form
exciting
IPA
GB/ɪksˈaɪtɪŋ/
US/ɪksˈaɪtɪŋ/
Syllables & stress
ex - cit - ing (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cit)
Word forms
Adjective
  • Base: exciting
Word family
Core family
excite verb A2 excited adjective excitement noun A2
Related words
excitedly adverb B1 overexcited adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unexciting adjective
Advanced or less common
excitable adjective excitingly adverb
Expressions

exciting times

1
/ɪksˈaɪtɪŋ tˈaɪmz/
fixed phrase

A period full of notable events

A time in life when many interesting or important things are happening.

Examples
  • These are exciting times for the tech industry.
  • We’re living in exciting times with so many changes happening.

something exciting

1
/sˈʌmθɪŋ ɪksˈaɪtɪŋ/
fixed phrase

An unspecified thing that excites

Something that makes you feel happy and interested.

Examples
  • I have something exciting to tell you.
  • They planned something exciting for her birthday.

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