elation

noun

ela·​tion i-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the quality or state of being elated

2

: pathological euphoria

Synonyms

• cloud nine
• ecstasy
• elatedness
• euphoria
• exhilaration
• heaven
• high
• intoxication
• paradise
• rapture
• rhapsody
• seventh heaven
• swoon
• transport

Examples of elation in a Sentence

most people can't imagine the kind of elation that comes with winning a super lottery's grand prize, but they're dying to find out

Recent Examples on the Web

Taiwan’s elation at Biden’s defense aid, support for American renewable energy and technology policy under the Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS Act, or tying itself in with support for Ukraine has transformed into liabilities Taipei is hoping segments of the American electorate forget. —Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025

The Lakers’ elation one night earlier, after James tipped in the game-winning basket at the buzzer for a 120-119 win over the Indiana Pacers, eluded them on Thursday in a rematch with the Bulls, who had beaten them by 31 points last Saturday. —Jovan Buha, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025

Then came Wednesday, and the pure elation Rosenthal experienced with Hagenman’s debut. —Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2025

The next day, my final one on the train, filled me with elation. —Amitava Kumar, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for elation

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

Kids Definition

elation

noun

ela·​tion i-ˈlā-shən 

: the quality or state of being elated

Medical Definition

elation

noun

ela·​tion i-ˈlā-shən 

: pathological euphoria sometimes accompanied by intense pleasure

elated

-ˈlāt-əd 

adjective