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, it was a medical term. A 1706 quotation shows how doctors used it then: "'Euphoria,' the well bearing of the Operation of a Medicine, i.e. when the Patient 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, "euphoria" describes abnormal or inappropriate feelings such as those caused by an illegal drug or an illness.

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 Senate President Wilton Simpson recently said the Senate also is open to a plan that would limit the amount of euphoria-inducing THC in medical marijuana, a move the Senate has blocked for the past two years. — Dara Kam, sun-sentinel.com, "Florida Senate moves to the right — faster than ever," 25 Feb. 2021 The scene’s euphoria is all the more poignant considering the context of its making: the death of Vinterberg’s daughter days before the film’s shoot began. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, "The 101 Greatest Endings in Movies History," 22 Feb. 2021 Even professionals that are generally bullish on markets warn that investors should consider getting a bit pickier to avoid getting swept up in the euphoria. — Julia Horowitz, CNN, "5 questions that need answers at the GameStop hearing," 18 Feb. 2021 The jet market hasn’t yet been overtaken by the kind of euphoria popping up elsewhere, but investors are surprisingly relaxed. — Jon Sindreu, WSJ, "Bubble Watch: Jet Debt May Also Be Flying Too High," 26 Jan. 2021 Lighting the tree is the ultimate moment of euphoria. — Washington Post, "Fox Nation’s first original Christmas movie feels like every other cozy, Christmas movie — with one exception," 24 Dec. 2020 After two and a half years, my euphoria at having been given a professional home and the early makings of an advertising career had tapered off. — Bruce Mccall, The New Yorker, "My Life in Cars," 12 Dec. 2020 Of course, for all its euphoria, many risks remain for the market. — Arkansas Online, "S&P 500 adds to record, Dow heads for own on vaccine hopes," 16 Nov. 2020 Health Minister Jens Spahn said the frustration felt by some in the European Union's most populous nation might be a response to the initial euphoria about the start of Germany's vaccination campaign shortly after Christmas. — Frank Jordans, Star Tribune, "Calls grow in Germany to punish queue-jumping for vaccines," 3 Feb. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'euphoria.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.