surge of delight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surge of delight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and intense feeling of joy or happiness that someone experiences. Example: "As she opened the letter revealing her acceptance into the university, a surge of delight washed over her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Travel

Sport

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It would be less than human, at this point, for any opponent of the war not to feel a surge of delight.

The Guardian

Antoine shows up late, but when he catches up and lifts his trombone to join in on "Feel Like Funkin' It Up," there is an electrical surge of delight.

The New York Times - Arts

I did feel a surge of delight at the end result, but couldn't help thinking, churlishly, that our efforts would probably fetch less than £5 on a market stall.

The Guardian - Travel

There was the obligatory false alarm of a Newcastle equaliser – the surge of delight quickly dissipated – and the general edginess was reflected in Parker, who was fuming when he was substituted.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Neither his opposition to capital punishment nor his belief in the importance of "just, legal procedures" keeps Nadas from feeling a surge of vengeful delight as he witnesses the final hours of the Romanian dictator.

The New York Times - Books

He went on, "His world is almost a continual surge of scenic delights and/or degradations, all of which he uses for dramatic effect, sometimes in the symbolist mode, sometimes as a sort of pictorial choreography, and sometimes as a violently-charged reverie, or as a declamation..

The New Yorker

He went on, "His world is almost a continual surge of scenic delights and/or degradations, all of which he uses for dramatic effect, sometimes in the symbolist mode, sometimes as a sort of pictorial choreography, and sometimes as a violently-charged reverie, or as a declamation...

The New Yorker

The sense of concern and being held is what I associate with my mother, and the sense of surging and delight is what I associate with my father".

The New Yorker

Childs says she's delighted by the surge of public interest in such 1970s experimentalism: next month, there's also a revival of Childs's 1979 work Dance, headlining the Dance Umbrella festival in London.

The Guardian

A shudder of delight.

The New Yorker

Our transports of delight disappear.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "surge of delight" to describe a sudden and intense feeling of joy. This phrase is particularly effective when emphasizing the unexpected or overwhelming nature of the happiness experienced.

Common error

While "surge of delight" is appropriate for general writing, be mindful of its potential informality in academic or professional settings. Consider more formal alternatives like "sense of elation" or "feeling of profound joy" for these contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surge of delight" functions as a noun phrase that describes a sudden and intense feeling of happiness. It commonly acts as the subject or object of a sentence, as illustrated in Ludwig examples, such as "It would be less than human, at this point, for any opponent of the war not to feel a surge of delight."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

15%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Sport

5%

Travel

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "surge of delight" is a phrase used to describe a sudden and intense feeling of joy. While grammatically correct, it is a rare expression that is most commonly found in news and media. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English to describe a sudden and intense feeling of joy or happiness that someone experiences. While acceptable in many contexts, it may be too informal for academic or professional writing. Consider alternatives like "wave of joy" or "rush of pleasure" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wave of joy

Emphasizes the feeling of joy as an overwhelming experience, similar to a "surge".

rush of pleasure

Focuses on the pleasurable aspect of the experience, highlighting the sensory feeling.

burst of happiness

Implies a sudden and short-lived experience of happiness, a more fleeting feeling.

feeling of elation

Highlights a strong sense of happiness and excitement, more formal and intense.

thrill of excitement

Focuses on the exciting part of experience, highlighting a sense of anticipation.

sense of euphoria

Indicates an extremely intense feeling of well-being, approaching ecstasy.

moment of bliss

Highlights a perfect moment of joy and contentment, often associated with peace.

fit of glee

Suggests a lively, exuberant and almost uncontrolled happiness, tending toward childishness.

pang of joy

Implies a sudden, sharp feeling of joy, which can be bittersweet or unexpected.

influx of gladness

Emphasizes the incoming nature of happiness, a somewhat old-fashioned or literary expression.

FAQs

How can I use "surge of delight" in a sentence?

You can use "surge of delight" to describe a sudden, intense feeling of joy. For example, "A surge of delight went through her as she listened to the good news".

What's a good alternative to "surge of delight"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "wave of joy", "rush of pleasure", or "burst of happiness" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "surge of delight" too informal for academic writing?

While understandable, "surge of delight" might be too informal for academic writing. Consider alternatives like "sense of elation" or "feeling of profound joy".

What's the difference between "surge of delight" and "shudder of delight"?

"Surge of delight" implies a sudden rush of happiness, while "shudder of delight" suggests a more physical, almost trembling response to something pleasing. A "shudder of delight" conveys a more intense and potentially overwhelming sensation.