excitable

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​cit·​able ik-ˈsī-tə-bəl How to pronounce excitable (audio)
Synonyms of excitablenext
1
: capable of being readily roused into action or a state of excitement or irritability
2
: capable of being activated by and reacting to stimuli
excitable cells
excitability
ik-ˌsī-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce excitable (audio)
noun
excitableness
ik-ˈsī-tə-bəl-nəs How to pronounce excitable (audio)
noun

excitability

2 of 2

noun

ex·​cit·​abil·​i·​ty ikˌsītəˈbilətē How to pronounce excitability (audio)
ek-, 
-ītə-, 
-lətē, 
-i
plural -es
: the quality of being excitable

Synonyms of excitable

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Adjective

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Examples of excitable in a Sentence

Adjective an excitable child who needs a stable home life
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The excitable kids had been instructed several times to give Bryce Young room. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2026 Every excitable cell in your body — your neurons, your muscle fibers — has a voltage difference between its inside and outside. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2026 Then again, there’s an excitable alien fry cook voiced by, yes, Martin Scorsese, who’s one of the coolest personalities in the whole movie. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 19 May 2026 Myhrvold, now 66 and still the CEO of Intellectual Ventures, is jolly and excitable in conversation. — Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for excitable

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of excitable was in 1609

Phrases Containing excitable

Rhymes for excitable

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Browse Nearby Words

excitability
excitable
excitant
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Excitable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excitable. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

excitable

adjective
ex·​cit·​able ik-ˈsīt-ə-bəl How to pronounce excitable (audio)
1
: easily excited
2
: capable of being excited
excitability
-ˌsīt-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce excitable (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

excitable

adjective
ex·​cit·​able ik-ˈsīt-ə-bəl How to pronounce excitable (audio)
of living tissue or an organism
: capable of being activated by and reacting to stimuli : exhibiting irritability
the biochemistry of excitable membranes—Science
excitability
-ˌsīt-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce excitable (audio)
noun
plural excitabilities

More from Merriam-Webster on excitable

Nglish: Translation of excitable for Spanish Speakers

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