- (transitive)
to evoke or elicit (a reaction, emotion, or response); stimulate to awaken from sleep
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
a•rouse /əˈraʊz/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object], a•roused, a•rous•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to stir up;
excite: The fiery speech aroused the crowd. - to stimulate sexually.
- to wake (somebody) up:She aroused them at noon.
a•rouse
(ə rouz′),USA pronunciation v., a•roused, a•rous•ing.
v.t.
v.i.
a•rous′a•bil′i•ty, n.
a•rous′a•ble, adj.
a•rous•al
(ə rou′zəl),USA pronunciation n.
a•rous′er, n.
v.t.
- to stir to action or strong response; excite:to arouse a crowd; to arouse suspicion.
- to stimulate sexually.
- to awaken;
wake up:The footsteps aroused the dog.
v.i.
- to awake or become aroused:At dawn the farmers began to arouse.
- a-3 + rouse1, modeled on arise 1585–95
a•rous′a•ble, adj.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged . animate; inspirit, inspire; incite, provoke, instigate; stimulate, kindle, fire.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged . calm.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'aroused' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
-mania
- Jesus
- ablaze
- afraid
- alarm
- amused
- anger
- arouse
- bankable
- checkup
- coma
- countertransference
- disgust
- envy
- erethism
- eroticism
- excited
- fear
- fiery
- forepleasure
- hackle
- homoeroticism
- horny
- hot
- hot stuff
- indignation
- inflame
- inflammable
- inspiration
- inspired
- irritable
- kindle
- mirth
- nationwide
- outrage
- passionate
- quick
- randy
- renifleur
- sexed-up
- sexy
- slow
- sympathy
- toey
- turned-on
- unaroused
- unexcited
- warm
- well-aroused