elate
C2Formal, Literary
Definition
Meaning
To make someone extremely happy or joyful, to fill with high spirits or delight.
To cause a feeling of triumphant exaltation or jubilation; to elevate someone's mood or emotional state significantly.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used in its adjective form 'elated' (e.g., 'I feel elated'). The verb form is somewhat formal and less common in everyday speech. Describes a strong, positive, and often sudden feeling of happiness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use it primarily in formal/literary contexts.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of elevated, often triumphant happiness. Slightly archaic/formal feel.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties, with 'elated' being far more common.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Sb] elates [Sb] (e.g., The news elated the fans)[Sb] be elated by/with/at [Sth] (e.g., She was elated by the result)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on cloud nine (state of being elated)”
- “walking on air (state of being elated)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. 'Investors were elated by the quarterly results.'
Academic
Rare, in literary or psychological analysis of emotion.
Everyday
Mostly in adjective form: 'We were elated to hear the good news.'
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The surprise victory elated the underdog team.
- Her kind words never fail to elate him.
American English
- Winning the championship elated the entire city.
- The promotion news elated everyone in the office.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used) 'He smiled elatedly upon receiving the award.'
American English
- (Rarely used) 'She waved elatedly to the crowd.'
adjective
British English
- She felt elated after passing her driving test.
- The elated supporters celebrated long into the night.
American English
- He was elated to get the job offer.
- An elated crowd cheered as the winners crossed the finish line.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I was elated when I heard I had won.
- The good news made her very happy.
- The team was elated by their unexpected victory.
- She felt elated after receiving such positive feedback.
- The announcement elated the shareholders, causing a surge in stock prices.
- Despite the initial setback, they were ultimately elated by the project's success.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'elate' as 'elevate' + 'celebrate'. It elevates your mood to a celebratory state.
Conceptual Metaphor
HAPPINESS IS UP / HAPPINESS IS A HIGH POSITION (e.g., 'He was elated', 'on a high').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating as 'возвышать' (to elevate physically/status). Focus on the emotional meaning: 'приводить в восторг', 'окрылять'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'elate' (verb) with 'elated' (adj.). Incorrect: 'I elate very much.' Correct: 'I am elated.'
- Overusing the verb form in casual speech.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'elated' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the verb 'elate' is quite formal. The adjective 'elated' is much more common (e.g., 'I'm elated').
'Elate' suggests a stronger, more intense, and often elevating feeling of joy, closer to 'exhilarate'. 'Delight' is a more general term for giving great pleasure.
It is grammatically possible but very uncommon and stylistically awkward due to the verb's formal and stative nature. It's better to say 'is making [someone] elated'.
The most common prepositions are 'by', 'with', and 'at' (e.g., 'elated by the news', 'elated with the result', 'elated at the prospect').
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