elation
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of elation
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English elacioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin ēlātiōn-, stem of ēlātiō “ceremonial carrying out, elevation, ecstasy”; equivalent to elate + -ion
Explanation
If you experience sudden very high spirits, possibly even a feeling of lightness, you are feeling great elation. Elation is more than mere happiness — it is extreme, exhilarating joy. It has a sense of rising or expanding, even to the point of light-headedness. To help remember it, think of the (unrelated) word inflation, which has a similar sound. When you inflate a tire, you pump it up. When you are filled with elation, you are also, in a sense, "pumped up."
Vocabulary lists containing elation
Emotions on Display
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"The Great Gatsby," Chapter 1 Vocabulary
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Refugee
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There was a moment this week when tears of sadness gave way to elation for one California couple.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026
Despite their elation over Sunday’s victory, the Rams have plenty to fix.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2026
The scenes in Kyiv contrasted with elation to the north, where 205 Ukrainian soldiers were freed in the latest POW exchange with Moscow.
From Barron's ● May 15, 2026
When a panel of expert judges announced its pick for “Best Bagel,” the crowd erupted with a mix of elation and disbelief.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 9, 2026
Each time the woman left Dad could hardly contain his excitement, so that finally, succumbing to either the woman’s desperation or to Dad’s elation, or to both, Mother gave way.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
