The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word AROUSAL
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
A
R
O
U
S
A
L
More clues leading to the result AROUSAL
- Beginning to miss revelry and excitement
- Topless drinking bout offers excitement
- American adult into a sort of oral stimulation
- Love powerful nation in a sport bringing excitement
- Being excited in lively party? Not at first
- Excitement, seeing America in a shortlist?
- Following unending drink the French raised excitement
- A character endlessly going around America, creating excitement
- Excitement as our rucking set back the French
- Awakening of love in Laura’s unexpected
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Excitement" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case excitement = arousal.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does AROUSAL mean?
AROUSAL noun- The act of arousing or the state of being aroused.
- Sexual arousal.
- A physiological and psychological state of being awake or reactive to stimuli, including elevated heart rate and blood pressure and a condition of sensory alertness, mobility and readiness to respond.
- Arousal from sleep or hibernation.