What does elatedness mean?
Elatedness is a formal noun meaning the state of being elated: intensely happy, delighted, or excited. It is especially useful for describing the strong emotional response that follows especially good news, a personal triumph, or an unexpectedly successful event. The word is less common than the more established synonym “elation,” but it can sound more deliberate and expressive in literary, journalistic, or formal writing. For example, a speaker might describe a champion's elatedness after a narrow victory, while a newspaper might mention the elatedness of supporters following an unexpected result. Although elatedness is grammatically countable and can be pluralized, singular usage is overwhelmingly more common. Its associations are strongly positive: it conveys joy, relief, triumph, and energetic excitement rather than merely a calm sense of contentment. In this respect, it differs from a general reference to happiness by suggesting a more vivid and often more temporary emotional state.
nounThe state of being elated; a feeling of great happiness, delight, or excitement.
- A state or feeling of great happiness, delight, or excitement.
"She was overcome with elatedness when the results of the competition were announced."
"His elatedness was evident as he embraced his family at the airport."
"The crowd's elatedness filled the stadium after the final whistle."
The regular plural is “elatednesses,” but plural usage is rare and singular forms are much more natural.
"She spoke of the elatednesses that followed each victory."
Sometimes joy feels so sudden that it seems to lift you off the ground—hence elatedness, the emotion of being uplifted by good news.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does elatedness come from?
Elatedness is formed in English from “elated” plus the noun-forming suffix “-ness.” The base adjective “elate” comes from Latin “elatus,” the past participle of “efferre,” a verb meaning to lift or carry out, with the figurative sense of being raised or made proud. The related English word “elation” preserves much the same emotional meaning in a more concise and commonly used form.
How elatedness is actually used
This is a formal or literary noun. It is less common than “elation” and is often used when the writer wants to emphasize the state of being elated or the intensity of a joyful reaction.
Easily confused with elatedness
Elevation refers to a rise in height, rank, or importance, whereas elatedness refers to a state of intense happiness or excitement.