What does elate mean?
Elate is a verb meaning to make someone intensely happy, proud, or joyful — to lift their spirits to a state of exhilaration. In everyday English it is far more common in its derived adjectival form, 'elated' ('she was elated by the result'), than in active constructions such as 'the victory elated them', which tend to sound formal or literary. The word carries an unambiguously positive, even exuberant connotation: elation implies a swelling of happiness that goes well beyond simple contentment, often in response to good news, achievement, or triumph. It typically appears with prepositions of cause, as in 'elated at' or 'elated by'. Etymologically it descends from Latin elatus, the past participle of efferre, meaning 'to raise up' or 'carry out' — so to be elated is, quite literally, to be lifted up. This vivid image makes the word especially apt for describing moments of soaring delight, and it remains a precise, expressive choice for writers who want more intensity than 'pleased' or 'happy' can convey.
verbTo make someone extremely happy, proud, or joyful; to fill with high spirits.
- To make someone extremely happy, proud, or joyful.
"The news of her promotion elated the whole team."
"Winning the championship elated players and fans alike."
"She was elated when her novel was accepted for publication."
Every time you say 'elated', you're speaking Latin — it comes straight from the past participle of efferre, 'to carry out or lift up', literally lifting someone's spirits.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of elate
Elate derives from Latin elatus, the past participle of efferre ('to bring out, raise up'), formed from e- ('out') and the irregular verb ferre ('to carry'), whose participial stem latus also gives us 'relate' and 'translate'. The English verb took shape in the early seventeenth century, first meaning 'to lift up' in both physical and figurative senses before settling on the emotional sense of raising someone's spirits. Its adjective 'elated' and noun 'elation' developed alongside it and are now the most frequent forms in use.
Related word forms
How elate is actually used
In modern usage 'elate' itself appears almost exclusively in its passive/adjectival forms ('was elated'); using the active verb ('the news elated me') is grammatically correct but relatively rare and slightly formal or literary. The tone is strongly positive and often suggests joy that feels uplifting or exhilarating rather than merely pleasant.
Easily confused with elate
'Elite' refers to the most powerful, skilled, or select group in a society or field, while 'elate' is a verb meaning to make someone very happy.