Thriller Meaning

/ˈθɹɪ.lə/
B1

Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Listen pronunciation

nounSomething that thrills.

nounA suspenseful, sensational genre of story, book, play, film.

Our new serial thriller begins at 7.30 this evening.
For the director, it's a thriller.
Tom has always felt drawn to thriller books.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The novel was a gripping ____ that had me guessing until the end.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The new movie is an exciting psychological ____ that keeps the audience guessing until the very last scene today.

Etymology tree English thrill Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Proto-Italic *-āzijos Latin -āriusnom. Latin -āriusbor. Proto-Germanic *-ārijaz Proto-West Germanic *-ārī Old English -ere Middle English -ere English -er English thriller From thrill + -er.

"While Arsenal had enjoyed a Boxing Day break thanks to the cancellation of their game against West Ham, Newcastle had come out of the wrong end of a thriller at Old Trafford and Pardew said that strain accounted for his side conceding four goals at the Emirates after Demba Ba had drawn Newcastle level for the third time in the 69th minute." — 2012 December 29, Paul Doyle, “Arsenal's Theo Walcott hits hat-trick in thrilling victory over Newcastle”, in The Guardian:

Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words

CEFR Practice Quiz
The novel was a gripping ____ that had me guessing until the end.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The new movie is an exciting psychological ____ that keeps the audience guessing until the very last scene today.

Expand Your Vocabulary with LexUp

Master English words using smart flashcards, play exciting word rounds, and compete with other learners worldwide.

Browse CEFR Words Alphabetically