To exhilarate means to make someone feel extremely happy, excited, or full of energy. It often describes experiences that feel thrilling or refreshing.
It comes from Latin 'exhilarare', meaning 'to cheer, gladden', from 'ex-' (thoroughly) and 'hilaris' (cheerful). The word has long been tied to strong, uplifting joy.
Exhilaration is happiness with the volume turned all the way up—your heart and mind feel like they’re flying. Roller coasters, big wins, or cold mountain air can all exhilarate because they wake up every sense at once.
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