ebullient

adjective

ebul·​lient i-ˈbu̇l-yənt 

-ˈbəl-

1

: boiling, agitated

2

: characterized by ebullience : having or showing liveliness and enthusiasm

ebullient performers

ebulliently adverb

Did you know?

Someone who is ebullient is bubbling over with enthusiasm, so it shouldn't be much of a surprise that ebullient comes from the Latin verb ebullire, which means "to bubble out." When ebullient was first used in the late 1500s its meaning hewed closely to its Latin source: ebullient meant "boiling" or "bubbling," and described things like boiling water and boiling oil instead of someone's bubbly personality. Only later did the word's meaning broaden beyond describing the liveliness of a boiling liquid to encompass emotional liveliness and enthusiasm.

Examples of ebullient in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His turn in the lead role captures a reinvigorated crank-pot revealed as both ebullient and energizing. —Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 26 Nov. 2025

Check out video of the moment where the two women jam out like everyone is looking — bouncing around and flipping their hair, holding hands and shouting the lyrics to the ebullient lead single from Lorde’s 2017 sophomore album Melodrama. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 17 Nov. 2025

Two of Stammen’s predecessors were ebullient in their praise for him. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2025

An ebullient Babis told supporters that ANO would seek a one-party cabinet but would talk with two small parties – including the far-right SPD – for support as his party will lack an outright majority. —Reuters 3 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin ebullient-, ebulliens, present participle of ebullire to bubble out, from e- + bullire to bubble, boil — more at boil

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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