exhilarating

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   making lively and cheerful

   the exhilarating effect of mountain air

2. 2
   adj

   Refreshingly thrilling.

   Mrs. Palmer added, "that this news, though it could scarcely be called exhilarating, had had such an effect on her elderly friends, that they had determined to set out to Bath, and, when rested, proceed thence to Exeter, in order to be nearer the place where the vessel was expected, and to be a support to Lord Meersbrook, in case of the worst."

3. 3
   adj

   making lively and joyful

4. 4
   verb

   present participle and gerund of exhilarate

Etymology

By surface analysis, exhilarate + -ing.