adjective
jubilant
JOO-bih-lunt/ˈdʒuːbɪlənt/
Feeling or expressing great joy, especially at a success.
The jubilant athlete throws both arms up after crossing the finish line.
Etymology
Jubilant evokes letting out whoops, specifically shouting for joy in Christian Latin usage. The adjective describes the great delight expressed by such cries, whether or not someone actually shouts.
In context
police put up barricades trying to contain the crowds from spilling into the streets ad hoc caravans drove up and down honking their horns in jubilant support
More examples
- She feels jubilant when she learns she got the job.
- Jubilant cheers fill the room as the results appear.
- His jubilant smile tells us the news is good.
Forms
jubilant · more jubilant · most jubilant
jubilantly adverb — In a way that expresses great joy.
jubilation noun — A feeling or expression of great joy.
Similar words
- elated
- Emphasizes intense happiness rather than its outward expression.
- triumphant
- Emphasizes the joy and pride of winning or succeeding.
- joyful
- Describes happiness more broadly, without necessarily implying a success.