What does jubilant mean?
Jubilant describes a state or display of intense joy, delight, or triumph. The word is particularly suited to public or emotionally expressive situations: a jubilant crowd, jubilant supporters, or a jubilant celebration. It suggests more than ordinary happiness, often implying that happiness is being expressed loudly, visibly, or with a sense of victory. While it can describe sincere private emotion, it frequently focuses on outward celebration and communal excitement. Jubilant is usually formal to neutral in tone and is stronger and more emphatic than words such as “happy,” “cheerful,” or “glad.” The adjective is related to the Latin jubilare, “to shout with joy,” and belongs to a word family that includes “jubilate,” “jubilation,” and “jubilee.” Its combination of emotional intensity and celebratory emphasis makes it especially useful for describing moments of great happiness or triumph.
adjectiveFeeling or expressing intense joy, delight, or triumph, often in a conspicuous or celebratory way.
- Feeling or expressing intense joy, delight, or triumph.
"The jubilant supporters filled the stadium with cheers as their team secured the championship."
"She was jubilant when the results of the election were announced."
"The announcement was met with a jubilant response from the laboratory team."
"Jubilant crowds gathered outside the cathedral to celebrate the peace."
Jubilant comes from a Latin verb meaning “to shout with joy,” so the word itself carries the sound of public celebration.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jubilant come from?
Jubilant entered English in the early 17th century from the Latin iubilare, meaning “to rejoice” or “shout with joy.” The Latin verb is related to iubilum, a shout or cry of joy, and to the source of “jubilee.” These related forms developed into the English verbs “jubilate” and “jubilate,” the noun “jubilation,” and the word “jubilee.”
Related word forms
How jubilant is actually used
The word is formal to neutral in register and conveys stronger, more conspicuous delight than “happy” or “cheerful.” It is especially common when describing people, crowds, reactions, and celebrations.