exultant

IPA/ɪɡˈzʌltənt/
KK[ɪɡzˈʌltənt]IPA/ɪɡˈzʌltənt/

exultant — adjective

  • exultantpositive
  • more exultantcomparative
  • most exultantsuperlative

1. feeling or showing the intense happiness and pride that comes from winning, achi

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

feeling or showing the intense happiness and pride that comes from winning, achieving a major goal, or seeing a rival lose

Example

Talia was exultant after her team won the regional championship by a single point.

adjective as subject complement with exultant + about/at/over

The exultant crowd roared when the final whistle confirmed their team had won the cup.

attributive adjective before a noun: exultant + crowd / fans / supporters

Common collocations
  • exultant at
  • exultant about
  • exultant over
  • exultant crowd
  • exultant fans
  • exultant cheer
  • exultant shout
  • exultant smile
Synonyms
  • jubilant

    very close in meaning, but jubilant emphasizes public celebration and cheering rather than personal pride

  • triumphant

    highlights the victory itself; can describe both the person and the atmosphere (a triumphant smile)

  • elated

    more about intense happiness in general; does not carry the 'beating an opponent' nuance that exultant often has

  • overjoyed

    pure, strong happiness without the element of pride or superiority

Antonyms
  • crestfallen

    disappointed and sad after a defeat, the opposite of the triumphant feeling exultant describes

  • despondent

    losing all hope, which contrasts sharply with exultant's pride and joy

Usage Note

Often followed by at, about, or over when stating the cause of joy (exultant at the news; exultant over their victory). Stronger than happy and usually connected to a specific event — not used for general contentment.

Common Mistakes

She was exultant with her new haircut.
She was exultant after winning the science prize.
Exultant is for triumphant joy after a victory or achievement, not for everyday satisfaction.
He felt exultant about the weather.
He felt exultant about promotion.
The cause must be significant (success, victory, triumph), not trivial.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Exultant, jubilant, triumphant, elated, and overjoyed all describe strong happiness, but they differ in shade. Exultant is the most closely tied to triumph over a rival or an obstacle — it has a hint of pride and often a visible display of joy. Jubilant focuses on the outward celebration (a jubilant crowd waving flags). Triumphant highlights the victory itself and can sound formal or dramatic (a triumphant return to the stage). Elated is intense happiness without any competitive element — you can be elated by good news that has nothing to do with winning. Overjoyed is pure, almost childlike happiness and is the most everyday of the group. For example: a student is exultant after topping the exam rank; the same student is overjoyed simply to hear that a friend is safe after an accident.

jubilant ↗triumphant ↗elated ↗overjoyed ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • almost exultant
  • openly exultant
  • quietly exultant

Phrases

  • exultant with pride
  • exultant in victory

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Exultant comes from Latin exsultare, a word that literally meant 'to leap up' — a blend of ex- ('up, out') and saltare ('to jump, dance'). The image is of someone so full of joy that they cannot stay still. Saltare is also the root of 'somersault' and 'assault' (which originally meant 'to leap upon').

First known use

1653

1653, in the meaning defined above