adjective

ebullient

/ɪˈbʌliənt/ · say it: ih·BUL·yuhnt

cheerful and full of energy

In Emotions & Moods

In more detail

1. (adjective) cheerful, enthusiastic, and full of energy and excitement

2. (adjective) (of a liquid) boiling or bubbling

Examples

1. She gave an ebullient speech that inspired everyone in the room.
2. The ebullient water spilled over the pot.

How to use ebullient

Ebullient primarily describes a person's cheerful, energetic demeanor or mood in contemporary usage, often conveying an exuberant, almost effusive quality. While it originally referred to boiling liquids, that sense is now rare and literary. It tends to appear in more formal or literary contexts and suggests an intensity of positive emotion that goes beyond mere happiness.

Common phrases

ebullient mood
ebullient personality
ebullient enthusiasm
ebullient about something
ebullient energy

Synonyms

exuberant · enthusiastic · buoyant · animated · vivacious

Opposites

subdued · lethargic · apathetic

Word family

ebullience (noun) · ebulliently (adverb)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse ebullient with jubilant, but ebullient emphasizes energetic enthusiasm and buoyancy rather than the solemn joy of jubilation.

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