triumphant

American  

[trahy-uhm-fuhnt] / traɪˈʌm fənt /

adjective

1. having achieved victory or success; victorious; successful.

2. exulting over victory; rejoicing over success; exultant.

3. Archaic. triumphal.

4. Obsolete. splendid; magnificent.

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triumphant British  

/ traɪˈʌmfənt /

adjective

1. experiencing or displaying triumph

2. exultant through triumph

3. obsolete

   1. magnificent

   2. triumphal

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Usage

What does triumphant mean? Triumphant means experiencing, celebrating, or having achieved a triumph—an especially significant or noteworthy victory or success. Triumph is also commonly used as a verb meaning to win, succeed, or be victorious in an epic or spectacular way. Sometimes, it means to conquer. In this case, it’s often used with the word over, and triumphant is used in the same way. An army can be triumphant over enemy forces. In stories, good is triumphant over evil. A person might be said to be triumphant over cancer. Triumphant is especially used in situations in which victory or success has come after great difficulty, adversity, or sacrifice, or over an opponent considered difficult to defeat. Triumphant can describe a person who is or has been victorious, as in They returned to their hometown triumphant, entering to the cheers of the adoring crowd. Sometimes, triumphant describes the state of joy or celebration following a victory or success that is considered a triumph, as in A triumphant feeling filled her as she realized she had won the election. Triumphant can describe something considered a great achievement, as in Her latest novel is triumphant—a masterpiece in every way. The similar adjective triumphal means involving, relating to, or celebrating a triumph. Example: We will not rest until we are triumphant—when we finally victorious over the forces of evil.

Other Word Forms

• untriumphant
  adjective
• triumphantly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of triumphant

First recorded in 1485–95; from Latin triumphant-, stem of triumphāns, present participle of triumphāre “to triumph”; see triumph, -ant

Explanation

If you're triumphant, you're proud of a huge success, like your triumphant victory at your ping-pong tournament. Winning an honor or a competition means that you're triumphant. The joy you feel about your win is described as triumphant. You might flash a triumphant smile at the audience during the curtain call after your excellent performance in the school play. Triumphant comes from the Latin word triumphus, which means triumph, but also describes a procession for a victorious general or admiral.

Example Sentences

Saka has been carrying the issue for some time, and while there was concern behind the scenes at Arsenal, they deemed the forward fit enough to start regularly during their triumphant title run-in.

From BBC • Jun. 20, 2026

After almost four years away from the sport, the 44-year-old tennis legend made a triumphant return Tuesday at Queen’s Club in London.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

His social media feeds increasingly blur the line between governance, architecture and fortress fantasy: giant protective systems, controlled ceremonial spaces, triumphant crowds and heavily curated images of power.

From Salon • May 24, 2026

One of his more triumphant gags involved the rollout of an emoji with a raised eyebrow resembling one of Colbert’s signature looks.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

White recalled that in the courtroom “Hale and Ramsey gave us triumphant grins,” adding, “The King on top again.”

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Related Words

• celebratory
• elated
• exultant
• glorious
• happy
• jubilant
• proud
• triumphal
• victorious