adjective

elated

/ɪˈleɪtɪd/ · say it: ih·LAY·tid

extremely happy and excited

In Emotions & Moods

In more detail

extremely happy and excited; filled with joy and delight

Examples

She felt elated when she received the acceptance letter from her dream university.

How to use elated

Elated describes a state of intense happiness and excitement, typically in response to good news or a significant success. It is stronger than pleased or happy, suggesting a more exuberant, almost unbridled joy. The word is commonly used in both written and spoken English across formal and informal contexts, though it has a slightly more expressive, emotional tone than purely neutral synonyms.

Common phrases

feel elated
absolutely elated
elated at the news
elated about the results
elated to hear
elated about winning

Synonyms

delighted · thrilled · ecstatic · euphoric · overjoyed

Opposites

despondent · miserable · dejected

Word family

elation (noun) · elatedly (adverb)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes overuse elated to describe mild happiness or contentment; the word should be reserved for genuinely strong, exuberant joy, not everyday pleasantness.

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