Elated means filled with intense joy and excitement, the kind of happiness that makes you want to jump up and down or shout with delight. When you're elated, you're thrilled, overjoyed, absolutely bursting with happiness that goes beyond ordinary pleasure or contentment.

You might feel elated when you win first place in a competition you've practiced for all year, or when you open a gift and discover it's exactly what you'd been hoping for. A scientist might be elated after years of work finally lead to a breakthrough discovery. Your parents might feel elated when they hear wonderful news about someone they love.

The word suggests a powerful, uplifting feeling that lifts your spirits sky-high. It's stronger than “happy” or even “excited.” When you're elated, your face lights up, your heart races, and for that moment, everything feels absolutely perfect. An elated athlete might pump their fists in the air after scoring the winning goal, while an elated reader might race to tell everyone about the incredible book they just finished.