exuberant
ig-ZOO-bur-unt
/ɪɡˈzjuːbərənt/
Filled with or characterized by lively energy, excitement, and cheerfulness; overflowing.
Suggests boundless, lavish vitality that cannot be contained easily, like lush plants or unrestrained laughter.
The story behind the word. Exuberant derives from the Latin verb 'exuberare', built from 'ex-' (out) and 'uber' (fruitful or udder). It originally described a cow yielding abundant milk or land overflowing with crops, before evolving into a description of overflowing human spirits.
Word relationships
- buoyant: Buoyant refers to lightness of spirit that stays afloat, while exuberant refers to overflowing abundance.
- ebullient: Ebullient emphasizes bubbling outward energy, whereas exuberant emphasizes rich, lavish vitality.
- subdued: Subdued means quiet, restrained, or dampened.
- somber: Somber means gloomy, dark, and serious.
Commonly confused with
- exorbitant: Exorbitant means unreasonably high or expensive, whereas exuberant means full of energy or abundance.
Word family
- exuberance (noun): The quality of being full of energy and cheerfulness.
- exuberantly (adverb): In an exuberant, overflowing manner.
Collocations
- exuberant growth
- exuberant personality
- exuberant display
- exuberant celebration
Idioms & expressions
- bursting at the seams
Example sentences
- "The exuberant children ran through the sprinklers with unfiltered glee." Describing human behavior
- "The garden was an exuberant display of wild roses and colorful bougainvillea." Describing growth or decoration
Memory hook
Think of EX-UBER: an extra-large Uber overflowing with singing, happy partygoers. Overflowing with life.
When not to use
Do not use for quiet, solemn, or restrained satisfaction.
Fun facts
- Botanists use 'exuberant' to describe plant foliage that grows with wild, healthy profusion.
Explore more words
boisterous, exhilarating, vivacious, gleeful, jubilant, effervescent
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