euphoria

noun

eu·​pho·​ria yü-ˈfȯr-ē-ə How to pronounce euphoria (audio)
: 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

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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.

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 But the euphoria of a breakout offensive performance from quarterback KJ Jefferson and ace tailback Raheim Sanders did not make it through another weekend. Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 18 Nov. 2023 Core personal-consumption expenditures price index inflation could damp the euphoria triggered in global markets by the latest U.S. price indexes, Santander Chief U.S. Economist Stephen Stanley writes in a note. Wsj Pro, WSJ, 15 Nov. 2023 Additionally, the young women beautifully display the universal euphoria and anguish of stepping into a new phase in life while trying to learn as you. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 30 Oct. 2023 Denver Congrats to the champs, who moved up the list by sweeping the Lakers, with their fans riding a wave through the offseason fueled by euphoria from winning and venom from all the TV time spent on the Lakers. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2023 There’s an inevitable euphoria as the imprisoned anywhere break their chains and escape their incarceration. Raja Shehadeh, The New York Review of Books, 28 Oct. 2023 There was this euphoria in the mid-to-late ’90s of peace, of a possible solution. Erin Douglass, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Sep. 2023 When consumed in higher doses or by individuals with low tolerance, Delta 8 can lead to feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and altered perception similar to what is commonly associated with THC. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 7 Sep. 2023 Related: The 16 Best Tennis Bags of 2023 My trepidation had officially given way to euphoria. Brittani Sonnenberg, Travel + Leisure, 16 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'euphoria.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of euphoria was in 1665

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Dictionary Entries Near euphoria

Cite this Entry

“Euphoria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/euphoria. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

euphoria

noun
eu·​pho·​ria yu̇-ˈfōr-ē-ə How to pronounce euphoria (audio)
-ˈfȯr-
: a strong feeling of happiness
euphoric
-ˈfȯr-ik How to pronounce euphoria (audio)
-ˈfär-
adjective

Medical Definition

euphoria

noun
eu·​pho·​ria yu̇-ˈfōr-ē-ə, -ˈfȯr- How to pronounce euphoria (audio)
: 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 adjective
euphorically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on euphoria

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