exciting
exciting
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "exciting" is /ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/.
ex-: /ɪk/ (as in "ick") - The 'e' is a schwa sound, and 'x' is pronounced as a 'k' followed by an 's' sound in this context, but here it's more like a /k/ sound due to assimilation with the following 's' sound from the next syllable.
cit-: /saɪt/ (as in "sight") - The 'c' here is a soft 'c' pronounced as an 's', followed by the long 'i' diphthong and a 't' sound.
ing: /ɪŋ/ (as in "sing") - The 'i' is a short 'i' sound, and 'ng' is a velar nasal consonant.
Word Form Variations
Verb:
Excite (base form)
Excites (third-person singular present)
Excited (past tense, past participle)
Exciting (present participle, gerund)
Adjective:
Exciting (present participle used as an adjective)
Excited (past participle used as an adjective)
Noun:
Excitement (derived noun)
Adverb:
Excitingly (derived adverb)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Exciting: Causing strong feelings of enthusiasm, interest, or anticipation; thrilling or stimulating.
Synonyms: Thrilling, stimulating, stirring, exhilarating, rousing, captivating, gripping, fascinating, interesting.
Antonyms: Boring, dull, uninteresting, monotonous, tedious, uninspiring.
Verb (Present Participle used as Adjective or Gerund)
Exciting: The act of generating or arousing a state of heightened emotion, interest, or activity in someone or something.
Synonyms: Arousing, stimulating, stirring up, provoking, quickening, animating.
Antonyms: Calming, soothing, pacifying, dulling, dampening.
Examples of Use
Books:
"The journey, full of unexpected twists and turns, proved to be an exciting adventure for the young protagonist." (From a fictional novel, general reference)
"In Cosmos, Carl Sagan makes the vastness of space and the intricacies of scientific discovery incredibly exciting for the lay reader." (Referring to Cosmos by Carl Sagan)
Newspapers:
"The local team's improbable comeback in the final quarter made for an exciting end to the championship game." (From a sports report in The Daily Herald)
"Analysts predict an exciting period of innovation in the technology sector as new AI models emerge." (The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications:
"The new trailer for the upcoming superhero movie promises an exciting cinematic experience with groundbreaking special effects." (From IGN.com)
"Our latest article details five exciting travel destinations that are off the beaten path and offer unique cultural experiences." (From LonelyPlanet.com)
"Developers are currently working on several exciting updates to the popular social media platform, including enhanced privacy features." (From TechCrunch)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film/TV: "This season of 'Stranger Things' was truly exciting, keeping us on the edge of our seats with every episode." (Online fan review, referring to the Netflix series Stranger Things)
Music: "The band's new album features an exciting blend of indie rock and electronic influences, pushing the boundaries of their sound." (Music critic's review on a blog, general reference)
Video Games: "The open world and dynamic combat system make 'Elden Ring' an incredibly exciting game to explore." (Gamer forum discussion, referring to the video game Elden Ring)
Podcasts: "Our guest on today's podcast shares some truly exciting insights into the future of renewable energy." (Podcast episode description, general reference)
General Public Discourse:
"I just got accepted into my top university! It's such an exciting opportunity." (Personal conversation)
"The city's new pedestrian-friendly initiatives are an exciting development for urban living." (Community meeting discussion)
"My kids are so exciting when they talk about their plans for the summer holiday." (Parent in casual conversation)
"There's an exciting new restaurant opening downtown next month with a unique fusion menu." (Word-of-mouth recommendation)
10 Famous Quotes Using Exciting
"The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' but 'That's funny...'" (Isaac Asimov)
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. It is an exciting prospect to consider what we can achieve." (Eleanor Roosevelt, loosely adapted to include "exciting" while maintaining spirit)
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. To live fully is to find what is exciting within that adventure." (Helen Keller, loosely adapted to include "exciting" while maintaining spirit)
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and that first step can be the most exciting of all." (Lao Tzu, metaphorical adaptation)
"Art is never finished, only abandoned. Every brushstroke is an exciting decision." (Leonardo da Vinci, metaphorical adaptation)
"There is nothing more exciting than a blank page." (Anonymous)
"To be a writer is to be in love. To be an original writer is to be in love with what is exciting and new." (Jeanette Winterson, adapted to include "exciting")
"Learning is an exciting journey, not a destination." (Anonymous)
"What makes life exciting is the potential for unexpected joy." (Anonymous)
"The most exciting thing is not what we know, but what we don't know." (Unknown)
Etymology
The word "exciting" comes from the verb "excite."
Let's break down its history:
"Excite" has its roots in Latin. It comes from the Latin word "excitare," which meant "to call out, call forth, arouse, wake up, or stimulate." This Latin word itself was formed from two parts: "ex-," meaning "out," and "ciere," meaning "to set in motion" or "to call/summon." So, you can think of the original sense as "to call something out or forth into motion."
The word "excite" (meaning "to stir up or instigate") made its way into English from Old French ("esciter") in the mid-14th century (around the 1300s). At first, it was used more generally to mean "to move," "stir up," or "instigate" an action or feeling. For example, you might "excite" a rebellion, meaning to stir it up.
Over time, especially by the late 14th century, "excite" also started being used specifically for stirring up feelings. So, you could "excite" anger or curiosity.
The adjective "exciting" as we commonly use it today, meaning "causing strong feelings of interest or enthusiasm" or "thrilling," appeared much later. Its first known use in this sense was around 1826. Before that, in the early 1800s (around 1811), "exciting" could also mean "causing disease" in a medical context, but that meaning is no longer common.
So, in simple terms: the idea of "stirring something up" is very old, going back to Latin. The specific meaning of making someone feel thrilled or enthusiastic is a more recent development of the word "exciting" in English.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Exciting
Exciting times ahead: Suggests a period of upcoming events that are anticipated to be thrilling or full of significant developments.
An exciting prospect: Refers to something that is viewed as a thrilling or promising possibility for the future.
The most exciting part: Highlights the segment or element of something that is considered the peak of its thrill or interest.
To get the exciting news: To receive information that causes enthusiasm or anticipation.
An exciting challenge: A difficult task or situation that is also stimulating and engaging.
A thrilling ride: (Using a synonym) Refers to an experience that is very exhilarating, often literally but also metaphorically.
On the edge of one's seat: (Idiom using a synonym's effect) Describes a state of intense suspense and excitement, eager to know what happens next.
To set pulses racing: (Idiom using a synonym's effect) To cause a strong feeling of excitement or nervousness.
A rush of adrenaline: (Phrase describing the effect of excitement) A sudden surge of energy and excitement.
To be buzzing with anticipation: (Idiom using a synonym's effect) To be extremely excited and eager for something to happen.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of exciting from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
