Frisson
What it means
A sudden pleasurable thrill of excitement.
Reach for it when naming a brief pleasurable shiver of excitement or anticipation
A frisson of anticipation passed through the opening-night audience.
Words to choose between 6
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| literary |
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playful
rush
Fits when intense excitement arrives quickly
Careful Rush is stronger and can suggest risk-seeking.
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everyday
Fits when general positive arousal is enough
Careful Excitement lacks frisson's brevity and delicacy.
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everyday
Fits when a sudden rush of excitement is plain and central
Careful Thrill can last longer and need not have a bodily shiver.
-
warm
tingle
Fits when a light bodily sensation accompanies anticipation
Careful Tingle can be medical or tactile without emotion.
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literary
shiver
Fits when the physical sensation matters most
Careful A shiver may come from cold or fear rather than pleasure.
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literary
Fits when a small moment ignites interest or attraction
Careful Spark is figurative and may begin something lasting.
Opposites 3
- flatness
- boredom
- numbness
Common phrases 3
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frisson of excitement
A frisson of excitement moved through the audience.
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feel a frisson
She could feel a frisson before the curtain rose.
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brief frisson
A brief frisson followed the unexpected chord.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: EncycloPetey, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated