elation means an exhilarating psychological state of pride and optimism. It carries an Arena rating of 1704, earned across 5 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, elation ranks #2,916 of 17,130 for Most Beautiful Words, #4,245 of 17,126 for Most Elegant Words, #4,302 of 17,126 for Most Satisfying to Say, #4,704 of 17,134 for Most Malleable Words.
elation is pronounced /ɪˈleɪʃən/.
Why “elation” is a great word
A feeling of great happiness, pride, and buoyant excitement. From Middle English *elacioun*, from Old French *elacion*, from Latin *ēlātiōnem* ("exaltation, elevation; pride"), from *ēlātus* ("raised up, exalted"), the past participle of *efferō* ("to carry out or forth; to raise; to exalt"), from *ex-* ("out") + *ferō* ("to carry, bear"). Unlike "jubilation," which implies a noisy, public triumph, or "contentment," which suggests a quiet, static peace, elation is the internal sensation of being physically uplifted. It is the weightlessness at a swing's crest, the sudden brilliance of ordinary light on a proven hope, the quiet thunder in the ribs after unexpected news—the soul briefly untethered from the gravity of the ordinary.
Etymology
From Middle English elacioun, from Old French elacion, from Latin ēlātiōnem, accusative singular of ēlātiō (“exaltation, elevation; pride, elation”), from ēlātus, perfect passive participle of efferō (“bring forth or out; raise; exalt”), from ē (“out of”), short form of ex, + ferō (“carry, bear”).
noun
- An exhilarating psychological state of pride and optimism.
- A feeling of joy and pride.e.g.“She [Chloe Kelly] waited for confirmation of the goal before taking off her shirt and waving it around her head, while being lifted by her team-mates in a moment of pure elation.” — 2022 July 31, Emma Sanders, “England 2-1 Germany”, in BBC Sport:
- A collineation that fixes all points on a line (called its axis) and all lines though a point on the axis (called its center).
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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