Definition of EUPHORIA

Other Words from euphoria

euphoric \ yü-ˈfȯr-ik ,

-ˈfär- \ adjective

euphorically \ yü-ˈfȯr-i-k(ə-)lē ,

-ˈfär- \ adverb

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

That is in contrast to last year’s euphoria, and is reflected in lackluster markets. — Richard Barley, WSJ, "For Investors, Europe Is Back to Muddling Through," 22 June 2018 As the euphoria over the earth-shaking news has gradually subsided over the last week and a half, a vital question has emerged from the background and come into greater focus. — Dylan Hernandez, latimes.com, "On the Lakers’ road back to greatness with LeBron, the hardest steps may still lie ahead," 12 July 2018 But the euphoria over that milestone was quickly overshadowed by the charges of voter irregularities that surfaced on the day of the election and grew louder in the weeks that followed. — NBC News, "Iraq set for election recount amid fraud claims," 22 June 2018 But the euphoria over that milestone was quickly overshadowed by the charges of voter irregularities that surfaced on the day of the election and grew louder in the weeks that followed. — Washington Post, "Iraq set for election recount to salvage tainted result," 21 June 2018 The initial euphoria in Thailand and around the world that all 13 people had been found alive has given way four days later to deep anxiety over the challenge of getting them out. — Richard C. Paddock, BostonGlobe.com, "Thai cave rescue will be a murky, desperate ordeal, divers say," 6 July 2018 The euphoria of finding the soccer team and their coach alive has quickly turned to the sober reality of how to extract them from the cave. — Danica Kirka, Fox News, "British divers bring experience to Thai cave drama," 4 July 2018 The effects of the IV infusion last until later that evening when a stinging Houston Rockets playoff loss takes a bite out of my euphoria. — Craig Hlavaty, Houston Chronicle, "Feeling the drip, drip, drip of the mobile IV craze," 13 June 2018 If that were the case, my euphoria may have hit its yearly limit. — Lauren Swanson, Allure, "Brooklinen's New Super Plush Towel Dried My Waist-Length Hair in Under 10 Minutes," 10 May 2018

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.