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

Entrepreneurs recognize that the path is an intense marathon, not a euphoric sprint. —Ted Ladd, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025

Post-match, Dan Burn, a lifelong fan, was euphoric, Fabian Schar winked his approval, Alexander Isak blew a kiss and even Howe, rather sheepishly, smiled towards the camera. —Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024

Or are there exhausted yet euphoric selfies simply sharing a tough workout in the books? —Christa Sgobba, SELF, 28 Dec. 2024

Tonally, the show is a total master class, zipping from euphoric highs to stomach-jolting lows without batting an eyelid, and leaving us to unpack why such a deplorable and devastatingly sad contest can also make us, and its participants, feel so incredibly good. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 26 Dec. 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