Exhilaration: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：intense joy and excitement (exhilaration)

exhilaration 🔊

/ɪɡˌzɪləˈreɪʃən/

A very strong feeling of excitement and great happiness.

Exhilaration illustrated by a person jumping joyfully on a sunny beach after a triumph

intense joy and excitement 🔊

➕

/ɪnˈtens dʒɔɪ ənd ɪkˈsaɪtmənt/

A state of being filled with tremendous excitement and great happiness.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：中级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'exhilarare' meaning 'to cheer up', from 'ex-' (out) and 'hilaris' (cheerful).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'exhilaration' as 'exit' + 'hilarity' – exiting into laughter and overwhelming joy.

📖 Example

Reaching the top of the mountain after a long hike, Tom felt pure exhilaration as he looked at the stunning view. 🔊 Tom experiences pure exhilaration upon reaching the mountain top after a hike.

🔗 Collocations

feel exhilaration – to experience a strong sense of excitement

sense of exhilaration – a feeling of great joy and energy

pure exhilaration – complete and unadulterated excitement

🔄 Synonyms

elation (n.) – a state of great joy and pride

euphoria (n.) – a feeling of intense happiness and excitement

joy (n.) – a feeling of great pleasure

🚫 Antonyms

depression (n.) – a state of feeling sad and without hope

melancholy (n.) – a feeling of pensive sadness

despair (n.) – the complete loss of hope

🌱 Derivatives

exhilarate (v.) – to make someone feel very happy and excited

exhilarating (adj.) – causing great excitement and joy

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'exhilarare', meaning 'to cheer up'. In modern English, it often describes the intense joy felt after achievements like completing a marathon or witnessing a breathtaking view.