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 And in doing so, our gestures and habits can stimulate hormones like oxytocin (related to feelings of security and confidence in social relationships), serotonin (linked to emotions and mood), endorphins (which causes feelings of euphoria and prevents stress and pain), and dopamine. Ana Morales, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2024 But while his desire to evoke the druggy euphoria of early U.K. club music has sometimes jostled against his ear for atmosphere (as on his contributions to the Shock Power of Love split with Blackdown), those two extremes are more fully integrated than ever on these two 13-minute tracks. Daniel Bromfield, SPIN, 13 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for euphoria 

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 29 Mar. 2024.

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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