adrenaline
A hormone produced by the body during times of stress, fear, or excitement that increases heart rate and energy levels. It is often associated with the 'fight or flight' response and the feeling of a physical 'rush'.
Examples
3 of 5I felt a sudden rush of adrenaline when I saw the stage lights go up.
I experienced a quick burst of excitement and energy as the performance began.
The secretion of adrenaline serves as a physiological defense mechanism against perceived threats.
Releasing this hormone is the body's natural way of protecting itself from danger.
That roller coaster was amazing; I'm still buzzing from the adrenaline!
The ride was great and I still feel very excited and energetic.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'Add-to-the-Engine'. Adrenaline is like fuel that is 'added' to your body's 'engine' to make you go faster and stronger during a crisis.
Quick Quiz
Skydiving is the ultimate activity for any ________ junkie looking for a thrill.
Correct!
The correct answer is: adrenaline
Examples
I felt a sudden rush of adrenaline when I saw the stage lights go up.
everydayI experienced a quick burst of excitement and energy as the performance began.
The secretion of adrenaline serves as a physiological defense mechanism against perceived threats.
formalReleasing this hormone is the body's natural way of protecting itself from danger.
That roller coaster was amazing; I'm still buzzing from the adrenaline!
informalThe ride was great and I still feel very excited and energetic.
Adrenaline increases blood flow to the muscles and heightens blood sugar levels for immediate energy.
academicThe hormone directs blood to muscles and raises sugar levels to provide quick power.
The high-stakes environment of the trading floor keeps the team's adrenaline levels high.
businessThe intense pressure of the stock market keeps the employees very focused and energized.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
get the adrenaline pumping
to start feeling very excited or energized
pure adrenaline
a state of total excitement or high energy
adrenaline kick
a momentary feeling of intense energy
Often Confused With
Cortisol is a long-term stress hormone, whereas adrenaline is for immediate, short-term 'fight or flight' reactions.
Usage Notes
Adrenaline is mostly used as an uncountable noun. While 'adrenalize' exists as a verb, it is quite rare in common conversation; usually, people use 'adrenaline rush' or 'get the adrenaline pumping'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often try to use adrenaline as a verb (e.g., 'The news adrenalined me'). Instead, use 'The news gave me an adrenaline rush' or 'The news got my adrenaline pumping'.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Add-to-the-Engine'. Adrenaline is like fuel that is 'added' to your body's 'engine' to make you go faster and stronger during a crisis.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'ad' (to/near) and 'renes' (kidneys), because the adrenal glands are located right on top of the kidneys.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Western culture, 'adrenaline junkie' is a common term for people who enjoy extreme sports like skydiving or bungee jumping.
Quick Quiz
Skydiving is the ultimate activity for any ________ junkie looking for a thrill.
Correct!
The correct answer is: adrenaline
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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