euphoria
Americannoun
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a state of intense happiness and self-confidence.
She was flooded with euphoria as she went to the podium to receive her Student Research Award.
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Psychology. a feeling of happiness, confidence, or well-being sometimes exaggerated in pathological states as mania.
noun
Other Word Forms
- euphoric adjective
Etymology
Origin of euphoria
First recorded in 1880–85; from New Latin, from Greek euphoría “state of well-being”; see eu-, -phore, -ia
Explanation
Use euphoria to describe a feeling of great happiness and well-being, but know that euphoria often more than that––it's unusually, crazy happy, over the top. Euphoria can even be classified as a mental illness. The earliest use of euphoria was to describe the relief provided by a medical procedure. The word was borrowed from New Latin, from the Greek word meaning "ability to bear easily, fertility," from euphoros "healthy," from the prefix eu- "good, well" plus pherein "to bear."
Vocabulary lists containing euphoria
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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.
As the euphoria fades and reality starts, emotions can turn to disillusionment.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 24, 2026
The euphoria of like, “L.A. is the best city in the world.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026
Washington and Tehran's announcement Tuesday of a two-week truce that would see the Strait of Hormuz reopened, having been closed since the start of the war, sparked a wave of euphoria across markets.
From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026
Yesterday’s short-lived euphoria reflected what one strategist called “a kind of pent-up demand for a modicum of good news.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
At times, to fuel his artistic euphoria, Dr. Lange would open a crate to admire a panel from the precious Amber Room, savoring the experience as others would enjoy a vintage bottle of brandy.
From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys
Definitions 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.
