What is excite? Pronunciation and usage in English

excite means . Learn how to pronounce and use excite through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of excite

exciteverb

/ɪkˈsʌɪt//ɛkˈsʌɪt/
Definition & pronunciation of excite

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "excite" in English! It's a tricky one for many learners. Here's a breakdown:

The Most Common and Correct Pronunciation:

  • ˈɛksɪt (IPA: /ˈɛksɪt/)

Let's break that down:

  • ˈek - This part is like the "eck" sound you might make when you’re surprised or disgusted (but softer!). Think of it as a quick, almost breathy "eck."
  • sɪ - This is the “s” sound followed immediately by a short “i” sound, like in “sit.”
  • t - Just a simple “t” sound.

Putting it together, it sounds like: "Eck-sit"

Here's a helpful breakdown with audio:

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Saying "ex-cite" like a separate word: Don't separate the “ex” and “cite” parts. It's one word.
  • Pronouncing the “e” like in “bed”: Don't emphasize the "e" sound at the beginning. It's a quick, short sound.
  • Adding an extra "i" sound: Don’t stretch the “i” sound out too much.

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you a few more example sentences using the word "excite"?

Usage and examples with the word excite in English

Let's break down how to use the word "excite" effectively in English. It's a versatile word with a few different nuances!

1. Core Meaning: To feel enthusiasm or eagerness

  • Definition: To fill someone with feelings of excitement and anticipation. It's about feeling thrilled or eager about something.

  • Examples:

    • "The prospect of traveling to Italy excites me." (I'm looking forward to it with enthusiasm.)
    • "Her students were excited about the upcoming science fair." (They felt eager and thrilled.)
    • "The fire dancers excited the crowd with their incredible performance." (The performance made the crowd feel thrilled and enthusiastic.)

2. As a Verb (Action Word): To cause feelings of excitement in someone

  • Examples:
    • "The new movie is going to excite moviegoers." (It will make them feel enthusiastic.)
    • "The band’s music excites a lot of young people." (It causes them to feel excited.)
    • "Let’s excite your senses with this amazing meal!" (Let's make you feel thrilled and stimulated.)

3. As an Adjective (Describing something that causes excitement)

  • Definition: Describing something that produces excitement or enthusiasm. This form is less common but important to know.

  • Examples:

    • "It was an exciting game." (Meaning: full of excitement and suspense.)
    • "The exciting news brought a smile to her face." (Meaning: thrilling news.)
    • "He had an exciting opportunity to travel the world." (Meaning: a thrilling opportunity)

4. Figurative Uses - Beyond just things

  • “Excite” can be used to describe a feeling or state of being:
    • "The idea of owning a dog excites me." (I feel a strong desire and enthusiasm for owning a dog.)
    • "The challenge excites her." (The challenge is stimulating and motivating to her.)

Key Differences & Related Words

  • “Thrill”: Similar to “excite,” but often implies a more immediate, intense feeling of excitement. (Think: a rollercoaster thrill)
  • “Anticipate”: Means to look forward to something. "I anticipate the concert with excitement."
  • “Enthusiasm”: A feeling of eager excitement. “She showed great enthusiasm for the project.”
  • “Stimulate”: To provoke or arouse; can be used if "excite" is about stimulating the mind or senses.

Tips for Using "Excite" Correctly:

  • Consider the context: What is causing the excitement? Who is feeling the excitement?
  • Use it with verbs of feeling: "He felt excited," "She was excited," "I got excited."
  • Don’t overuse it: Like many words, "excite" can lose its impact if used too frequently.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about using "excite" in? (e.g., writing a story, talking in a conversation, a professional setting)

Synonyms for the word excite

Practice with vocabulary excite

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The groundbreaking research findings are expected to ______ the scientific community worldwide.
  2. To succeed in this competitive field, you must find something that truly ______ you to push your limits.
  3. The new product launch is poised to ______ consumers with its innovative features and sustainability goals.
  4. Regular exercise helps to ______ the brain and improve cognitive functions, leading to better focus.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which word best describes making someone feel enthusiastic and eager about something, often in a positive way? a) bore b) calm c) excite d) soothe

  2. Select the words that can describe a new initiative that creates a sense of keen anticipation and strong interest within an organization. a) thrill b) depress c) excite d) deter e) captivate

  3. The prospect of working on cutting-edge AI technology really began to ______ the junior engineers, fueling their ambition. a) exhaust b) excite c) confuse d) undermine

  4. Which word means to intentionally cause a strong negative reaction, anger, or argument, often leading to conflict? a) appease b) provoke c) alleviate d) comfort

  5. The university aims to ______ critical thinking skills among its students through challenging coursework and interactive seminars. a) diminish b) suppress c) obstruct d) foster e) cultivate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The announcement of the merger made the employees feel very eager and hopeful about their future roles within the new company structure. (Rewrite using "excite")
  2. The innovative design of the new smartphone caused a lot of enthusiasm and positive anticipation among tech reviewers and consumers. (Rewrite using a related form of "excite")
  3. The sudden policy change caused a strong wave of criticism from various stakeholders who felt their concerns were ignored. (Rewrite, but do not use "excite")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The groundbreaking research findings are expected to excite the scientific community worldwide.
  2. To succeed in this competitive field, you must find something that truly motivates you to push your limits.
  3. The new product launch is poised to excite consumers with its innovative features and sustainability goals.
  4. Regular exercise helps to stimulate the brain and improve cognitive functions, leading to better focus.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) excite
  2. a) thrill, c) excite, e) captivate
  3. b) excite
  4. b) provoke
  5. d) foster, e) cultivate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The announcement of the merger excited the employees, making them hopeful about their future roles within the new company structure.
  2. The innovative design of the new smartphone generated a lot of excitement and positive anticipation among tech reviewers and consumers.
  3. The sudden policy change provoked a strong wave of criticism from various stakeholders who felt their concerns were ignored.

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