she was overjoyed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was overjoyed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong feeling of happiness or joy in response to a positive event or news. Example: "When she received the acceptance letter from her dream university, she was overjoyed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

She was overjoyed at the supplies.

The New Yorker

She was overjoyed when he called a few minutes later.

The New York Times

"She was overjoyed to see her sister," Sajad says.

The Guardian

She told the Great Yarmouth Mercury she was "overjoyed" at her party's victory.

Independent

Chanchanit Martorell, the boy's co-guardian, said she was "overjoyed" that Mr. Ashcroft stepped in.

The New York Times

Senesi said she was overjoyed when she found out that her adoptive brother was still alive.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

When Columbia eventually does come calling, she is overjoyed to flee California.

The New York Times - Books

She is overjoyed to learn that Tamino loves her, and she sympathizes with Papageno's longing for a wife.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Today, she is overjoyed to continue in her writing-education journey, having been accepted into Hamline University's M.F.A. in Writing for Children and Young Adults.

University of California, Berkeley

When Teffi leaves the station, she is overjoyed to see an officer of the White Guard standing in front of a bakery, eating a fresh cake.

The New Yorker

She's addicted to the autobiographical books of Alex Rover, a fearless explorer who could be Indiana Jones's Scottish cousin, so one day when her dad has sailed off in search of some rare plankton, she's overjoyed to receive an email from her hero.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, consider the level of formality required. While generally appropriate for most contexts, more formal writing might benefit from a slightly elevated or nuanced alternative, such as "she expressed profound delight".

Common error

Avoid using "she was overjoyed" in situations where the level of happiness is only mild or moderate. The phrase implies a significant degree of joy, so using it inappropriately can sound exaggerated or insincere. Use more subtle alternatives if the situation warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was overjoyed" functions as a descriptive statement expressing a strong emotional state. It typically follows a subject (she) and a linking verb (was), with "overjoyed" serving as the adjective that describes her emotional condition. Ludwig confirms this is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Huffington Post

3%

University of California, Berkeley

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she was overjoyed" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express a strong feeling of happiness or delight. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, with a primary presence in news and media. When writing, consider the intensity of emotion you wish to convey, as the phrase suggests a high level of joy. If a more subtle expression is needed, alternatives like "she was thrilled" or "she was delighted" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was thrilled

Changes the adjective to another synonym expressing excitement.

she was delighted

Replaces "overjoyed" with another word conveying happiness.

she was ecstatic

Emphasizes a more intense level of joy.

she was extremely happy

Uses a more descriptive phrase instead of a single adjective.

she was on cloud nine

An idiomatic expression meaning extremely happy.

she felt immense joy

Shifts from describing her state to describing her feeling.

she was full of joy

Emphasizes the abundance of her happiness.

she was in high spirits

Suggests a cheerful and lively mood.

her heart leaped with joy

A more figurative and emotional expression.

she was walking on air

An idiomatic expression suggesting elation and giddiness.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "she was overjoyed"?

You can use alternatives like "she was thrilled", "she was delighted", or "she was ecstatic" depending on the context.

How can I use "she was overjoyed" in a sentence?

Use "she was overjoyed" to describe a strong feeling of happiness in response to good news or a positive event. For example, "When she received the acceptance letter, she was overjoyed."

What's the difference between "she was happy" and "she was overjoyed"?

"She was happy" expresses a general feeling of contentment, while "she was overjoyed" indicates a much stronger, more intense feeling of happiness and excitement.

Is "she was overjoyed" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "she was overjoyed" is generally appropriate. However, for highly formal contexts, consider alternatives like "she expressed profound delight" or "she was deeply gratified".