euphoric

adjective

eu·​phor·​ic yü-ˈfȯr-ik 

-ˈfär-

: marked by a feeling of great happiness and excitement : characterized by, based on, or producing euphoria

a euphoric mood

feeling euphoric

He knew he was going to win big, big, big, and he was euphoric about it.

—Russell Baker

All addictive drugs … work in the brain to produce feelings of well-being and elation. A drug's euphoric effects, which can last from a few minutes to a few hours, are what get a person to take the substance in the first place.

—Joseph Alper

euphorically

yü-ˈfȯr-i-k(ə-)lē 

-ˈfär-

adverb

euphorically happy

One minute they were euphorically celebrating victory. The next, they were dropping to their knees in total despair as they looked to the scoreboard and saw the harsh reality of an 18–13 loss.

—Kyle Riviere

Synonyms

• ecstatic
• elated
• elevated
• enrapt
• enraptured
• entranced
• exhilarated
• giddy
• heady
• intoxicated
• rapt
• rapturous
• rhapsodic
• rhapsodical

Examples of euphoric in a Sentence

the euphoric winner was momentarily speechless

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s because, for smokers, nicotine gums and lozenges never deliver anything close to the euphoric feelings of puffing on a cigarette. —Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2024

Stimulating up to three nerve-dense erogenous areas increases your chance of a euphoric full-body orgasm. —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 3 Nov. 2024

In the euphoric celebration of the Chargers’ season-opening win against the Las Vegas Raiders, Harbaugh used an expression credited to English writer John Heywood and referenced by Williams Shakespeare. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024

Its euphoric melodies, crafted alongside her lead collaborator BloodPop are often tinged with sadness and minor chords. —Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

euphoric

adjective

eu·​phor·​ic -ˈfȯr-ik, -ˈfär- 

1

: marked by or experiencing a feeling of intense happiness, excitement, or sense of well-being : characterized by, based on, or producing euphoria (see euphoria sense 1)

Some reports suggest that schizophrenia patients use alcohol to 'self-medicate' psychotic symptoms, subjective distress, insomnia, social anxiety, or medication side effects, whereas other studies suggest that subjects with schizophrenia use alcohol for its stimulatory or euphoric effects.

—Deepak C. D'Souza et al., Neuropsychopharmacology

compare dysphoric sense 1

2

: of, relating to, or characterized by gender euphoria

Euphoric experiences are noted to take place in contexts that are deemed safe spaces and free of expectations about ways genders are expressed.

—Trent Mann et al., Sexuality Research and Social Policy

euphorically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb