Word: elation

Associations

Elation means a strong feeling of happiness and excitement. It is often a feeling of great joy and pride.

• After winning the championship, the team was filled with elation. The players celebrated their victory with smiles and cheers.
• She felt elation when she received the acceptance letter from her dream university. It was a moment she had been hoping for.
• The announcement of the new park opening brought elation to the community. Many people were excited about having a new place to enjoy nature.

The synonym "joy" is similar but slightly different. Joy is a more general term that can describe any feeling of happiness, while elation usually refers to a higher degree of happiness, often combined with excitement.

Substitution

Other words or phrases that can be used instead of elation include:

• Euphoria: This suggests a more intense feeling of happiness, often to the point of feeling slightly overwhelmed.
• Exhilaration: This implies a feeling of thrill and excitement, often linked to an energetic event.
• Delight: This is more about pleasure and can be used in more everyday contexts.

Deconstruction

The word elation comes from the Latin root "elatus," which means "raised up." This gives a sense of being uplifted or elevated in mood. It has no prefix or suffix, making it a straightforward term.

The word has a history of use in English that dates back to the late 16th century, emphasizing moments of elevated spirit and joy.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt elation? What caused that feeling?
• In what situations do you think elation is most commonly experienced?
• How might someone express elation differently than joy or happiness?