jubilate
C2Literary, formal, religious (liturgical). Rare in everyday conversation.
Definition
Meaning
To express great joy, triumph, or exultation, often noisily or publicly.
To celebrate, rejoice, or be extremely glad; also used as a noun to refer to a song or expression of joy (rare).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a powerful, often unrestrained, and sometimes collective expression of joy. Closely tied to the Latin root and Christian liturgy (Psalm 100: 'Jubilate Deo'). More intense and formal than 'celebrate' or 'rejoice'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use it with equal rarity. It appears in British hymnody and classical concert titles (e.g., 'Jubilate' for a musical setting of Psalm 100) slightly more often due to Anglican tradition.
Connotations
Shared connotations of liturgical/classical formality. In the US, it may sound more archaic or exclusively religious.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects. More likely encountered in religious, poetic, or historical contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
jubilate (intransitive)jubilate over [something]jubilate at [something]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Jubilate Deo (Latin: 'Rejoice in God')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, religious, or literary studies to describe expressions of joy in texts.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would sound intentionally poetic or archaic.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts outside of musicology (referring to a specific type of choral composition).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The congregation began to jubilate as the choir sang the final 'Amen'.
- Fans jubilated long into the night after the home team's historic victory.
American English
- Supporters jubilated at the campaign headquarters when the results were announced.
- It's a time to jubilate and give thanks for our collective success.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form. Use 'jubilantly'. (They sang jubilantly.)
American English
- No standard adverb form. Use 'jubilantly'. (He shouted jubilantly.)
adjective
British English
- No standard adjective form. Use 'jubilant'. (The jubilant crowd spilled into the streets.)
American English
- No standard adjective form. Use 'jubilant'. (A jubilant mood filled the arena.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The people jubilated when the war finally ended.
- It was a moment to jubilate and forget our troubles.
- Critics argue that it is unseemly to jubilate over a rival's misfortune.
- The oratorio's final movement, a magnificent 'Jubilate', left the audience in awe.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'JUBIlee' + 'celEBRATE' = JUBILATE, a grand celebration.
Conceptual Metaphor
JOY IS AN EXPLOSIVE FORCE / JOY IS A SONG.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'юбилей' (yubiley - anniversary/jubilee), which is a cognate but a noun for a celebration, not the act of celebrating.
- The Russian verb 'ликовать' (likovat') is a close conceptual match for intense, exultant joy.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a transitive verb (e.g., *'They jubilated the win' - incorrect). It is intransitive.
- Confusing it with the more common 'jubilant' (adjective).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'jubilate' MOST likely to be found?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare, formal, and literary word. In everyday language, 'celebrate', 'rejoice', or 'cheer' are far more common.
Yes, but this is very rare and specialized. As a noun (capitalized 'Jubilate'), it refers to Psalm 100 or a musical setting of it.
The Latin phrase 'Jubilate Deo' (Rejoice in God), which is the opening of Psalm 100 and a common title for choral and orchestral works (e.g., by Handel, Britten).
'Jubilate' is a verb meaning 'to rejoice greatly'. 'Jubilant' is an adjective describing someone who is feeling or showing great joy ('the jubilant crowd').