Kilig

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A feeling of excitement or thrill often associated with romantic moments or delightful surprises
2. An emotional response that brings joy and giddiness, particularly in the context of love or affection
3. The delightful sensation experienced when something beautiful or charming occurs, leading to feelings of happiness and connection

Etymology: "Kilig" is a Tagalog word, the language of the Philippines, meaning a thrill of delight, most often the flutter of a romantic moment. English speakers borrowed it directly from Tagalog, so the word arrived with its original sense intact rather than being reshaped by English usage. The word has a sensory core. In Tagalog it describes a tickling or shivering sensation, the kind a person feels through the body when something pleases them deeply, and that physical quality is what the English noun keeps. It is used to name the giddy, goosebump-like rush of a crush, a sweet gesture, or a moment of romance, rather than a calm or settled happiness.

Synonyms: thrill, exhilaration, tingle, flutter, excitement

Antonyms: indifference, boredom, apathy, disinterest, dullness