euphoria

noun

eu·​pho·​ria yü-ˈfȯr-ē-ə 

: a feeling of well-being or elation

Apparently, it is the change in mood—the feeling of euphoria and reduced anxiety—that prompts people to start using this dangerous drug.

—Rita L. Atkinson et al.

They had almost a week to recover from the euphoria of Tuesday's series-winning victory …

—Clifton Brown

compare dysphoria

Did you know?

Euphoria Has Greek Roots

Health and happiness are often linked, sometimes even in etymologies. Nowadays euphoria generally refers to happiness, but it derives from euphoros, a Greek word that means "healthy." Given that root, it's not surprising that in its original English uses euphoria was a medical term. Its entry in an early 18th-century dictionary explains it as "the well-bearing of the Operation of a Medicine; that is, when the Sick Person finds himself eas'd or reliev'd by it." Modern physicians still use the term, but they aren't likely to prescribe something that will cause it. In contemporary medicine and psychology, euphoria can describe abnormal or inappropriate feelings such as those caused by an illicit drug or an illness.

Synonyms

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

Examples of euphoria in a Sentence

The initial euphoria following their victory in the election has now subsided.

The drug produces intense feelings of euphoria.

Recent Examples on the Web

The shift to heroin and fentanyl Even as hydrocodone and oxycodone were still saturating the country in the early 2010s, users were already turning to heroin, which delivered the same euphoria for a fraction of the cost of a black-market pain pill. —David Ovalle, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2023

These strains may induce feelings of euphoria and help alleviate anxiety or tension. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 27 Aug. 2023

After putting Australia out of contention, Hemp said the English want to relive the kind of euphoria that their win in the European Championship generated last year. —John Pye, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Aug. 2023

This can lead to a heightened sense of self-motivation, overall well-being, and even euphoria [7]. —The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 Aug. 2023

Fentanyl is a quick high, and combining it with a stimulant can extend feelings of euphoria, another reason people might intentionally use them together. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 14 Sep. 2023

That kind of investor euphoria is typically restricted to the realm of artificial intelligence—this instance proves no different. —Bychristiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2023

The fact that the drug caused euphoria colors the emotional response to it. —Sharon Grigsby, Dallas News, 8 Sep. 2023

As Arozarena lay on his belly, repeatedly tapping home plate with both hands and wearing a smile of delighted surprise on his face, he was completely ignored in the postgame euphoria. —David Waldstein, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, from euphoros healthy, from eu- + pherein to bear — more at bear

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined above

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

euphoria

noun

eu·​pho·​ria yu̇-ˈfōr-ē-ə 

-ˈfȯr-

: a strong feeling of happiness

euphoric

-ˈfȯr-ik 

-ˈfär-

adjective

Medical Definition

euphoria

noun

eu·​pho·​ria yu̇-ˈfōr-ē-ə, -ˈfȯr- 

: a feeling of well-being or elation

especially : one that is groundless, disproportionate to its cause, or inappropriate to one's life situation compare dysphoria sense 1

euphoric

-ˈfȯr-ik, -ˈfär- 

adjective

euphorically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb