jubilant
/ˈdʒuː.bɪ.lənt/Feeling or showing great happiness and excitement, usually because of a success or victory. It describes a joy that is visible and often shared with others.
- The jubilant crowd cheered as the final whistle blew.
- She was jubilant after hearing she had passed her exam.
- Jubilant fans flooded the streets to celebrate the win.
Adinary Nuance
Jubilant sits in a cluster of "very happy" adjectives — but it has a specific flavour: triumph after a clear, public success. It is the word journalists reach for when covering a sports win or an election result because it captures both the emotion and the visible, outward expression of it. Elated is softer and works for more personal wins — getting good news, finishing a project — while jubilant implies a bigger, more communal occasion. Ecstatic is more intense and inward-facing; you can be ecstatic alone, but jubilant almost always implies that the joy is on display. Exultant is the nearest literary twin — it also implies triumph — but it sounds more formal and bookish than jubilant, which is common in both news writing and everyday speech.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- phấn khích
- Spanish
- jubiloso
- Chinese
- 兴高采烈
- Japanese
- 大喜び
- Korean
- 환희
Etymology
From Latin "jubilans," the present participle of "jubilare," meaning to shout or cry out for joy. The word entered English in the mid-17th century, often used in religious and ceremonial contexts before broadening to general use.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'jubilant' formal or informal?
- It sits in the middle — not casual slang, but not stiff academic language either. It is very common in news articles, sports reports, and IELTS writing. You can safely use it in both formal essays and everyday conversation.
- What is the difference between 'jubilant' and 'ecstatic'?
- 'Jubilant' describes joy that is outward and visible, usually tied to a shared victory or public event. 'Ecstatic' describes a feeling so intense it is almost overwhelming — it is more personal and internal. A jubilant crowd celebrates together; an ecstatic person may be speechless with private joy.
- What is the noun form of 'jubilant'?
- The noun form is 'jubilation', meaning a feeling or expression of great joy. Example: 'There was jubilation in the streets after the team won the trophy.'
- Can I use 'jubilant' in IELTS Academic writing?
- Yes. 'Jubilant' is a strong, precise adjective that IELTS examiners recognise as advanced vocabulary. It works especially well when describing reactions to events — elections, competitions, or social milestones. Just make sure the context clearly involves a triumph or victory.