thrilled

UK: θrɪld | US: θrɪld

Definition

  1. adj. feeling intense excitement or pleasure

  2. vt. (past tense of thrill) to cause someone to feel sudden excitement or joy

Structure
thrill <to pierce or excite>ed <past participle suffix>
Etymology

thrilled = thrill<to pierce or excite> + ed<past participle suffix>

  • thrill: From Middle English thrillen (to pierce), derived from Old English þyrlian (to perforate), related to þurh (through). The sense evolved from physical piercing to emotional excitement (as if "pierced" by strong feelings).
  • ed: A suffix forming past participles or adjectives from verbs, indicating a completed action or state.

Etymology Origin:
Originally tied to the physical act of piercing (e.g., arrows), thrill metaphorically shifted in the 16th century to describe emotional "piercing" — sharp, sudden excitement. By the 19th century, thrilled emerged as an adjective capturing this electrifying sensation.

Examples

  1. She was thrilled to receive the award.

  2. The audience thrilled at the magician’s final trick.

  3. He felt thrilled by the unexpected news.

  4. The children were thrilled about the trip to the zoo.

  5. A thrilled crowd cheered as the team scored the winning goal.