hwyl

/ ˈhuːɪl /

noun

1. emotional fervour, as in the recitation of poetry

Word History and Origins

Origin of hwyl¹

C19: Welsh

Example Sentences

The syndicate is led by a bartender named Jan, played by Toni Collette, who brings a bit of the hwyl herself to the otherwise somewhat staid proceedings and predictable ups and downs of the narrative.

Read more on Washington Post

Even with the promise of cash prizes, there’s a less than 1% chance of winning, so the group votes to do it for the “hwyl,” a Welsh word meaning “emotional motivation,” or “fun,” something of which they could all use a bit more.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau delivered with particular hwyl.

Read more on The Guardian

At its heart is hwyl, a hard-to-translate Welsh term implying the stirringly sentimental, bardic and gutsy.

Read more on Economist

It's the quality of hwyl - a word which doesn't quite translate into English.

Read more on BBC