stimulant
gb/stˈɪmjələnt/ us/stˈɪmjələnt/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
entity
1
substance that increases alertness
A substance that makes you feel more awake or active.
Usage pattern:
[a] stimulant; stimulants; a stimulant for [something]
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse stimulant (makes you more alert) with sedative or depressant (makes you calmer or sleepier).
Synonyms
pick-me-up (More informal; often refers to a drink or small boost of energy.)
|
upper (Slang; refers to stimulant drugs specifically.)
Antonyms
depressant (A substance that slows activity in the brain or body.)
|
sedative (A substance that calms you and may make you sleepy.)
Collocations
caffeine is a stimulant
|a mild stimulant
|a powerful stimulant
|a stimulant drug
|stimulant medication
|avoid stimulants
|take a stimulant
|stimulant effect
|stimulant properties
|a stimulant for the nervous system
Themes
health
|medicine
|drugs
|food_and_drink
Examples
- Coffee is a common stimulant that can make it harder to fall asleep.
- The doctor warned him not to mix stimulant medication with energy drinks.
- Nicotine is a stimulant, even though smoking can feel relaxing to some people.
Learner examples
- Caffeine is a stimulant.
- I try to avoid stimulants at night.
Noun
C1
abstract
2
thing that encourages activity
Something that makes a person or situation more active or interested.
Usage pattern:
a stimulant to/for [activity/interest/growth]
Common mistake:
This meaning is about motivation or growth, not necessarily about drugs or chemicals.
Synonyms
catalyst (Emphasizes causing change or progress to happen faster.)
|
spur (Emphasizes pushing someone into action.)
|
boost (Emphasizes an increase in strength, activity, or confidence.)
Antonyms
deterrent (Something that discourages action or makes it less likely.)
|
drag (Something that slows progress or reduces enthusiasm.)
Collocations
a major stimulant
|a strong stimulant
|a stimulant to growth
|a stimulant for innovation
|an economic stimulant
|a stimulant to conversation
|provide a stimulant
|act as a stimulant
|a stimulant to demand
|a stimulant to creativity
Themes
education
|psychology
|business
|society
Examples
- The new manager was a stimulant to creativity on the team.
- Lower interest rates can act as a stimulant to consumer spending.
- Travel can be a powerful stimulant for learning a language.
Learner examples
- Music is a stimulant for my work.
- The prize was a stimulant to study harder.
adjective
formal
C1
property
3
causing increased activity
Making you feel more awake or active.
Usage pattern:
stimulant [effect/action/quality]
Common mistake:
Often used before a noun (e.g., 'stimulant effect'); in many cases this is similar to saying 'stimulating'.
Synonyms
stimulating (More common and more general in everyday English.)
|
invigorating (Often positive; suggests refreshed energy.)
Antonyms
sedating (Tending to calm you or make you sleepy.)
|
calming (Reducing nervousness or excitement.)
Collocations
stimulant effect
|stimulant action
|stimulant properties
|stimulant dose
|stimulant medication
Themes
health
|science
Examples
- The label warns that the product may have a stimulant effect.
- Some cold medicines include stimulant ingredients.
- The researchers measured the stimulant action of the compound.
Learner examples
- This drink has a stimulant effect.
Grammar
Dictionary form
stimulant
IPA
GB/stˈɪmjələnt/
US/stˈɪmjələnt/
Syllables & stress
stim - u - lant (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (stim)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: stimulant
Noun
- Base: stimulant
- Plural: stimulants
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.