a wave of elation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wave of elation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and overwhelming feeling of happiness or joy. Example: "When she received the news of her promotion, she was overcome by a wave of elation that made her smile uncontrollably."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A wave of elation swept through the delegation.

The New Yorker

The announcement on Friday of the new policy prompted a wave of elation among illegal immigrant students, and praise and sighs of relief from Democrats and Latino leaders.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

My mouth tasted rusty like blood and I felt a wave of invisible elation cresting in white foam.

The New Yorker

In the event of a Bush victory, Democrats expected to be much less happy than they were before the election, while Republican voters expected to ride a wave of long-term elation.

The Washington Post

On television we watched the Shah and his family leave Iran and even us children, locked up in the house and not allowed to go to school, felt the wave of elation that swept the country at this immense victory, this historic moment.

The Guardian - Opinion

You ride the wave of elation down the stairs, out of the courthouse and all the way to your car, where you find the new citation tucked beneath your windshield wiper.

Los Angeles Times

A wave of human agents?

Forbes

On Thursday night, as word of the new policy spread, their social networks were flooded with waves of elation and relief.

The New York Times

Again it was a scene of elation.

The Guardian - Travel

"There was a sense of elation," one participant recalled.

The New Yorker

Thinking of this, Hadley felt a swell of elation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a wave of elation" to describe a sudden, powerful feeling of joy or triumph, often in response to positive news or an achievement. It effectively conveys the intensity and overwhelming nature of the emotion.

Common error

Avoid using "a wave of elation" in contexts that require a more subdued or neutral tone. This phrase is best suited for situations where strong, positive emotions are genuinely felt and appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wave of elation" functions as a noun phrase that describes a sudden, intense feeling of happiness or joy. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English. The examples show it used to describe reactions to positive news or significant events.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wave of elation" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a sudden and powerful feeling of joy. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, where it conveys intense emotional reactions to events. While appropriate for formal writing, it is best used when such strong emotions are warranted. Related phrases include "a surge of delight" and "a rush of joy". Use this phrase to bring life and emotion to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surge of delight

Replaces "elation" with "delight", focusing on a pleasurable emotional response.

a rush of joy

Emphasizes the intense and immediate feeling of happiness, substituting "elation" with "joy".

a burst of euphoria

Conveys a heightened state of happiness and well-being, using "euphoria" instead of "elation".

a tide of happiness

Uses "tide" to represent a gradual increase and overwhelming feeling of happiness.

a flood of excitement

Highlights the enthusiastic and stimulated aspect of the emotion, replacing "elation" with "excitement".

an upwelling of joy

Suggests a rising feeling of joy from within.

a swell of pleasure

Focuses on the gratifying aspect of the experience, using "pleasure" instead of "elation".

a moment of triumph

Highlights the feeling of victory and success associated with the experience.

a sense of exhilaration

Focuses on the invigorating and thrilling aspect of the emotion, replacing "elation" with "exhilaration".

a state of rapture

Emphasizes an intensely joyful or ecstatic feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "a wave of elation" in a sentence?

You can use "a wave of elation" to describe a sudden and intense feeling of joy or happiness. For example, "A wave of elation swept through the crowd as the team scored the winning goal."

What can I say instead of "a wave of elation"?

You can use alternatives like "a surge of delight", "a rush of joy", or "a burst of euphoria" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a wave of elation" in formal writing?

Yes, "a wave of elation" is appropriate for formal writing when describing a significant and joyous occasion. However, ensure that the context warrants such a strong expression of emotion.

What's the difference between "a wave of elation" and "a sense of elation"?

"A wave of elation" implies a sudden and overwhelming feeling, while "a sense of elation" suggests a more subtle and sustained feeling of joy or happiness.