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exhilarate

 - 3 dictionary results

ex⋅hil⋅a⋅rate

  [ig-zil-uh-reyt]
Use exhilarate in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -rat⋅ed, -rat⋅ing.
1. to enliven; invigorate; stimulate: The cold weather exhilarated the walkers.
2. to make cheerful or merry.
Origin:
1530–40; < L exhilarātus ptp. of exhilarāre to gladden, equiv. to ex- ex- 1 + hilarāre to cheer (see hilarity ); see -ate 1

Related forms:
ex⋅hil⋅a⋅rat⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
ex⋅hil⋅a⋅ra⋅tor, noun

Synonyms:
1. animate, inspirit, elate. 2. cheer, gladden.

Antonyms:
1, 2. depress.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To exhilarate
ex·hil·a·rate   (ĭg-zĭl'ə-rāt')   
tr.v.   ex·hil·a·rat·ed, ex·hil·a·rat·ing, ex·hil·a·rates

  1. To cause to feel happily refreshed and energetic; elate: We were exhilarated by the cool, pine-scented air.

  2. To invigorate; stimulate: bold designs that exhilarate the viewer's imagination.


[Latin exhilarāre, exhilarāt- : ex-, intensive pref.; see ex- + hilarāre, to make cheerful (from hilaris, hilarus, cheerful, from Greek hilaros).]
ex·hil'a·ra'tive adj., ex·hil'a·ra'tor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

exhilarate 
1540, from L. exhilaratus, pp. of exhilarare "gladden, cheer," from ex- "thoroughly" + hilarare "make cheerful," from hilarus "cheerful."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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