jubilance

American  

[joo-buh-luhns] / ˈdʒu bə ləns /

Sometimes jubilancy

noun

1. a feeling or expression of great joy, satisfaction, or triumph; gladness or exultation.

   He’s been experiencing a lot of career success—but his greatest reason for jubilance this year is the birth of his daughter.

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Etymology

Origin of jubilance

First recorded in 1830–40; jubil(ant) ( def. ) + -ance ( def. )

Explanation

Jubilance is what you feel when you're happy, joyful, or triumphant. The jubilance of a high school football team that finally wins a game after a season of losses is wonderful to see. When you're practically overcome by happiness, you're experiencing jubilance, a celebratory kind of joy. You might enjoy the jubilance of your favorite actor winning an Academy Award, or the jubilance of a little boy jumping excitedly at his birthday party. The word comes from jubilant, which is rooted in the Latin jubilare, literally "to call to someone," but used in Christian writing (including Milton) to mean "to shout for joy."

Example Sentences

By Tuesday evening, crowds had already begun to swell up and an air of jubilance engulfed the venue.

From BBC • Jan. 29, 2025

Once inside, I was again surprised by the jubilance of the many attendees of the convention.

From Slate • Jul. 16, 2024

It's wonderful to see their pure, unvarnished jubilance as they gear up for what is sure to be one of the most special cooks of their lives.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2023

The book written by David Thompson with Sharon Washington maintains the film’s immediate post-World War II jubilance but jettisons much of the plot that was specific to De Niro and Minnelli.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2023

There was a subdued jubilance in his manner.

From Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories, 1902 to 1903 by Montgomery, L. M. (Lucy Maud)