Word: elated (adjective)

Associations

Elated means feeling very happy or joyful. It is a strong feeling of happiness, often because of a specific event or achievement.

• Example 1: "She was elated when she found out she got the job." (This shows her happiness about a specific achievement.)
• Example 2: "The team was elated after winning the championship." (Here, the team feels joy from their victory.)
• Example 3: "He felt elated on his wedding day." (This illustrates happiness during a significant life event.)

The synonym "joyful" is similar but can be used more generally. "Elated" often implies a stronger, more intense feeling of happiness tied to a specific reason.

Substitution

You can use other words like "overjoyed," "ecstatic," or "thrilled." Each word has a slightly different meaning:

• "Overjoyed" suggests extreme happiness.
• "Ecstatic" implies a feeling of overwhelming joy.
• "Thrilled" often relates to excitement rather than just happiness.

Deconstruction

The word "elated" comes from the Latin root "elatus," which means "to lift up." It has no prefix, but the suffix "-ed" indicates that it describes a state or condition. Understanding this helps you see that being elated is like being lifted up by happiness.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt elated? What caused that feeling?
• How do you think being elated affects your actions or decisions?
• Are there other words you would use to describe a similar feeling?