elate

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "elate" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when expressing a feeling of great joy or happiness. Example: "The news of her promotion will surely elate him." Alternative expressions include "make happy," "delight," and "thrill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Long — or, at least, as long as the air at the summit continues to nourish and elate him — may he stay there.

The New Yorker

There will be twenty-seven crew members, most from the Philippines, including a captain and a handful of officers from Romania, and, piled high on deck and deep in the holds, an assortment of cargo consignments from the world over that might include yachts, submarines, airplane fuselages, generators, turbines — everything, in short, that would elate a boy of five.

The New Yorker

"One lives in hope that music is more than mere noise, filling up idle time, whether intending to elate or lament," he added.

The New York Times

Benefiting from a bout of heartache, Blake's intimate record requires patience and a willingness to wallow – unlike J Cole's Born Sinner, which might not have sucker-punched its way in Yeezus-style but had enough of College Dropout Kanye to elate, with samples of A Tribe Called Quest on the track Forbidden Fruit being a particular highlight.

The Guardian - Music

McQueen worked the way a dreaming brain does, transmuting suppressed instinct into images that can trouble, mystify, and elate.

The New Yorker

And maybe, Finkel added, it won't take five fights to elate his many debtors, including the Internal Revenue Service.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The music that elated me and still elates me is reggae.

Independent

Elated to learn that he has now led more than 2000 laps in his F1 career, and that his points lead is the biggest it has ever been, Vettel smiled.

Independent

Elated by the fact that his composition had been given a professional gloss, James bubbled over: "I feel like Ringo Starr," he said excitedly, a pitch-perfect line in its notion of rock-star glamour.

Independent

This girl can twirl on a dime and take you from elating silliness to genuine sadness in less time than it takes to say "Delta Nu".

Independent

Elated by their successes and beginning to feel their power, the sailors looked to other leaders, Ephialtes and Pericles, who shared their distrust of Sparta and promised them a larger share in the government.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ the active verb form to give the subject more power, such as "The victory will elate the fans" rather than just using the adjective form.

Common error

While the etymological root relates to lifting up, modern English uses "elate" almost exclusively for emotional states. Avoid using it to describe physically raising an object; use "elevate" or "lift" instead.

Linguistic Context

In its primary usage, "elate" functions as a transitive verb, requiring an object to receive the action of being made joyful. According to Ludwig AI, it is also frequently found in its participial forms, serving as an adjective (elated) or a gerund (elating). The dictionary definition confirms its role in 'making joyful or proud' or, more archaically, 'lifting up'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "elate" serves as a powerful linguistic tool for expressing profound joy or pride. Ludwig AI demonstrates that the word is exceptionally well-supported by top-tier journalistic sources, appearing in contexts ranging from political victories to scientific breakthroughs. While its primary form is a verb, it is most recognizable through its adjective counterpart, elated. When writing, consider the specific cause of the happiness; if the joy is significant and results from an achievement, "elate" is a more precise choice than a simpler synonym like "delight". Its usage remains stable and correct across all formal registers, making it a reliable staple for any writer seeking to add emotional weight to their work without sacrificing sophistication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overjoy

Directly indicates an extreme degree of happiness

exhilarate

Suggests a more energetic or physically stimulating sense of excitement

enrapture

Implies a state of being completely carried away by joy

uplift

Often carries a moral, spiritual or emotional improvement connotation

delight

Provides a softer, more common expression of pleasure

thrill

Focuses on the sudden wave of excitement or vibration

gladden

A more traditional and slightly less intense version of making someone happy

buoy up

Suggests keeping someone's spirits high during a difficult time

intoxicate

Metaphorically describes joy that is so strong it feels like a drug

animate

Focuses on the life and energy the joy provides

FAQs

How do I use "elate" in a sentence?

You can use "elate" as a verb meaning to make someone very happy, for example: "The news of the recovery will surely "elate the family"."

What can I say instead of "elate"?

Depending on your context, you might use "exhilarate" for intense energy, "delight" for general pleasure, or "overjoy" for extreme happiness.

Is "elate" a formal word?

Yes, "elate" and its derivative "elated" are considered neutral to formal. In casual conversation, people often prefer "thrill" or "make happy".

What is the difference between "elate" and "exhilarate"?

While both mean to make very happy, "exhilarate" often implies a sense of refreshment or stimulation, whereas "elate" focuses more on pride or high spirits resulting from success.