What does exulting mean?
"Exulting" describes the outward display of intense, triumphant joy — the elation of a victor rather than quiet contentment. It functions as the present participle of the verb "exult" and as an adjective, typically appearing in phrases such as "the exulting crowd" or "exulting in victory." Its register leans formal and literary, making it a favorite of sportswriters, historians, and poets who want to convey jubilation with a touch of grandeur. The word derives from the Latin "exultare," meaning "to leap up," so its imagery is inherently physical: joy so vigorous it makes you jump. It carries strongly positive connotations, though it can shade into gloating when the triumph comes at someone else's expense — context determines whether the exulting feels celebratory or smug. Related forms include the adjective "exultant," the noun "exultation," and the adverb "exultingly." For writers seeking a vivid alternative to "happy" or "thrilled," "exulting" captures joy at its most victorious and unrestrained.
Feeling or expressing triumphant joy; jubilant, especially over a victory or success.
"An exulting shout rose from the winning team's bench."
Often followed by 'in' or 'over' when used verbally, as in 'exulting in their triumph'.
Present participle of 'exult': to show or feel great joy, especially in a triumphant way.
"The fans were exulting long into the night."
'Exulting' literally means 'leaping out' — it comes from the Latin for jumping for joy, so when you're exulting, your happiness is doing somersaults.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of exulting
"Exulting" traces back to the Latin verb "exultare" (also written "exsilire"), meaning "to leap up or leap out," formed from "ex-" (out) plus the root of "salire" (to leap). The same root gave English "salient," "somersault," and "assault." English adopted "exult" in the late sixteenth or early seventeenth century, with "exulting" following as its participial and adjectival form; its cognate "exultant" came slightly earlier via French and Latin.
Related word forms
How exulting is actually used
Somewhat formal or literary in tone; more common in writing than everyday speech. It often appears in the pattern 'exulting in/over + noun'. The verb form 'to exult' is more frequently used than the standalone adjective.
Easily confused with exulting
'Exulting' means rejoicing triumphantly, while 'exalting' means raising someone or something to a higher rank, status, or praise.