Exam Vocabulary and Synonyms for Happiness

On this page, you will find lists of words to help you expand your vocabulary related to the word ‘happiness’. There are nouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs, so you will learn how to put stronger sentences together with more sophisticated language. Practicing forming sentences in this way is particularly good if you are preparing for exams, such as IELTS, GRE, SAT, LSAT, Civil Services, and Banking.

Example Sentence Showing Synonyms and Different Word Forms:

I sometimes enjoy (verb) playing the lottery. When my brother won the lottery, he told me about it with such breathtaking (adjective) euphoria (noun) that it was wonderful to hear. For my part, I was understandably (adverb) ecstatic (adjective). He owed me money!

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HOW TO USE OUR SYNONYM TABLES:

COMMON USE

ADVANCED EXAMS

In this column, you will find words that you will come across in everyday English, and which are even suitable for exams like IELTS or TOEFL.

*An asterisk means that this word is less popular in everyday English than the other words in the list. These words may also be asked in some simpler exams.

In this column, you will find words that are likely to be asked in more Advanced Exams, such as GRE, MBA, SAT/LSAT, Civil Service, Banks, etc.

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Some Nouns for Happiness

(e.g. a state of ecstasy, experiencing delirium, an expression of contentedness)

COMMON USE

ADVANCED EXAMS

The little boy had eaten all the ice-cream, before falling asleep with a look of contentedness on his face.

Lost and dehydrated in the desert, the travellers were in a state of delirium, seeing things that didn’t exist.

He had taken a lot of drugs, and was clearly in a state of ecstasy. He had no idea what was going on!

Healthcare workers said they felt a sense of elation when they received their COVID-19 vaccination.

He felt immense gratification as he received his award. It was something he had worked for all his life.

There was great jubilation* amongst the townsfolk, who danced and sang all night.

*Perhaps a more literary application than other synonyms.

The waves were lapping at the shore and there was no one around, so the couple relaxed in a state of pure bliss(fulness).

Little children have a healthy sense of exuberance when they encounter something new and interesting. They’re very inquisitive.

They said that the drug caused a state of euphoria, so these people didn’t even understand how bad things were.

At the end of our meal, the chef came out and brought us a little treat for our delectation. It was a wonderful surprise.


There was an air of joviality about the proceedings. Everyone was really looking forward to them.


We could feel an atmosphere of exhilaration as the instructor opened the door of the airplane. We were about to jump out!


As they lay back in the planetarium and looked up at the galaxy, they felt a sense of peaceful rapture take hold.


With great gaiety, the people streamed out into the streets and continued the party.

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Some Adjectives to Describe Happiness

(e.g. a childlike exuberance, an overwhelming delirium, a breathtaking euphoria)

COMMON USE

ADVANCED EXAMS

The teenagers approached the task with childlike exuberance. They had been bored for so long.

We were just exhilarated by the response. We never thought we’d get so much support.

Tears ran down her face, so much was her overwhelming joy at the good news.

Their house always seemed to be alive with jocund celebrations of health and happiness.

The view from the hotel room was absolutely breathtaking. We loved every minute we spent there.

There was a jovial air about the whole occasion, and everyone was in a wonderful mood.

Following the massage, she fell asleep with an ecstatic smile on her face.

I was simply elated when I heard the news. My parents were finally vaccinated.

I was overjoyed by the result. I never expected to do so well in the exam.

She was calm and blissfully happy, with a euphoric smile gracing her beautiful face.

The joy she felt was so intense that she cried. It was such a relief to have her puppy back.

He wore a jubilant expression as the presents were handed out. He was just delighted to be sharing this time with friends and family.

She was overtaken by an almost otherworldly joy, and her eyes lit up with gratification.

I was just delirious when I heard my favourite band were coming to town. It’s been so long since I saw a live show.

I was quite gratified* by your thoughtful gift.

*Perhaps a more literary usage.

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Some Verbs for Being Happy

(e.g. I appreciate…; He delights in…; She revels in…)

COMMON USE

ADVANCED EXAMS

I enjoy live music immensely. It always makes me feel happy.

I relish the thought of tackling that problem. I love a challenge.

He adored spending time with her. She always knew how to cheer him up.

She really appreciated his kind words, and she felt much better that evening when she went home.

People say I delight in annoying people, but I don’t really mean to.

*They revel in winning, so it’s likely there will be celebrations afterwards.

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Some Adverbs to Describe Your Level of Happiness

(e.g. I feel tremendously happy, unashamedly delirious, decidedly exhilarated)

COMMON USE

ADVANCED EXAMS

She was unashamedly delighted with the prize, and she was whooping and jumping for joy.

I was deliriously happy when it was all over. It had been so stressful.

He was suspiciously content when we came home, as if it hadn’t bothered him at all!

He was unabashedly delirious…

They were understandably overjoyed by the response to their ad campaign. Sales went way up!

We were decidedly ecstatic when the news came through. We had been trying so hard for years for this to happen.

I was tremendously gratified by the way they dealt with my mother’s funeral arrangements.

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