exult
C1formal/literary
Definition
Meaning
to show or feel great happiness, especially because of a success or victory
To rejoice triumphantly; to be jubilant or elated, often with a sense of pride or superiority over others or circumstances
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies intense, often unrestrained joy, typically following an achievement or favourable outcome. Carries connotations of triumph and celebration.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in British literary contexts.
Connotations
Equally formal in both varieties. May sound slightly archaic or elevated in everyday speech.
Frequency
Low frequency in spoken language; primarily found in written texts, journalism, and formal speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
exult in + noun/gerundexult at + noun/gerundexult over + nounexult that + clauseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “exult in one's glory”
- “exult over spilled milk (rare, playful inversion)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in hyperbolic contexts: 'Investors exulted at the record quarterly profits.'
Academic
Found in historical/literary analysis: 'The narrative allows the hero to exult in his moral victory.'
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. Would be replaced by 'celebrate' or 'be over the moon.'
Technical
Not used in technical registers.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The fans began to exult as the final whistle blew.
- She allowed herself a moment to exult in her examination results.
American English
- Supporters exulted after their team's championship win.
- He exulted quietly over his rival's failure.
adverb
British English
- They celebrated exultantly long into the night.
- He raised the trophy exultantly.
American English
- She laughed exultantly at her success.
- The announcement was greeted exultantly.
adjective
British English
- The exultant crowd spilled onto the streets.
- An exultant cheer erupted from the stands.
American English
- She wore an exultant smile after the verdict.
- His exultant mood was contagious.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children exulted when school finished for summer.
- He exulted in his new job.
- The team exulted in their hard-fought victory.
- It's unwise to exult over a competitor's misfortune.
- The general forbade his soldiers from exulting publicly over the enemy's defeat.
- She exulted inwardly that her prediction had proven correct.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: EXit with a resULT → you EXULT when you get a good result and can exit triumphantly.
Conceptual Metaphor
JOY IS UP/A VICTORIOUS ASCENT (exulting is rising in emotional elevation due to success)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'восторгаться' (to admire) – 'exult' is about triumphant joy, not admiration.
- Do not translate as 'ликовать' in all contexts – 'ликовать' is more common and less formal.
Common Mistakes
- Using it transitively (e.g., 'He exulted his win' – incorrect). Must use a preposition: 'He exulted in his win.'
- Confusing with 'exalt' (to praise highly).
Practice
Quiz
Which preposition most commonly follows 'exult' to mean 'rejoice because of'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a formal/literary word (C1 level). In everyday speech, people use 'celebrate', 'rejoice', or 'be overjoyed'.
'Exult' emphasizes the intense, often triumphant feeling of joy itself. 'Celebrate' focuses more on the outward actions (party, ceremony) that express joy.
Yes, when used with 'over' it can imply gloating or taking excessive pleasure in another's failure (e.g., 'exult over someone's defeat').
The noun is 'exultation'. The adjective is 'exultant'. The adverb is 'exultantly'.