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

• triumphantly
  adverb
• untriumphant
  adjective

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

This was the key to Jobs’s triumphant return.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

In a rare departure from the Trump administration's typically triumphant tone, US Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday acknowledged that consumer inflation was "not great" in April.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

Five-time Premier League winner Wayne Rooney believes Arsenal are now the definitive favourites to end their 22-year title wait, while former City keeper Joe Hart expects his old club to be triumphant.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

This summer’s World Cup was supposed to be the triumphant return of the planet’s favorite sport to America.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 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