Elated vs. Delighted — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 2, 2024
Elated emphasizes a high degree of happiness often from success, while delighted focuses on great pleasure usually from a specific source.
Difference Between Elated and Delighted
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Elated often describes a heightened state of joy, typically resulting from an accomplishment or good news, whereas delighted usually points to a profound sense of pleasure, often stemming from something particularly pleasing or satisfying. While elation is more about an elevated emotional state, often with a sense of triumph, delight tends to be triggered by external factors that bring joy or satisfaction.
Elation might be felt after achieving a long-term goal, highlighting a sense of achievement and success. On the other hand, delight could be experienced in the moment, like enjoying a surprise gift, emphasizing the role of external factors in triggering this emotion.
Elated can sometimes imply a more temporary and intense feeling, suggesting a peak emotional state that could be related to personal success or favorable outcomes. In contrast, being delighted can suggest a more gentle, yet deeply felt pleasure, often tied to sensory experiences or emotional reactions to specific events or gestures.
The sensation of being elated is often associated with significant life events or achievements, such as a promotion at work or winning a competition, where the joy stems from personal effort and success. Whereas delight might be derived from experiences that engage the senses or heart, such as tasting your favorite dish or receiving praise from a loved one.
Elated captures the essence of soaring spirits, often reflecting an inner sense of pride and accomplishment. Delighted, meanwhile, encompasses a broader range of pleasures, from simple joys to profound appreciation, illustrating how different sources of happiness impact our emotional state.
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Comparison Chart
Source of Emotion
Often internal, linked to personal achievements
Usually external, tied to specific pleasurable events or surprises
Duration
Can be fleeting, associated with a moment of success
Tends to be momentary but deeply felt
Intensity
High, with a sense of euphoria
Strong but more grounded in contentment
Trigger
Achievements, successes
Enjoyable experiences, gestures, or surprises
Common Situations
Winning a prize, receiving a promotion
Enjoying a favorite meal, receiving a thoughtful gift
Compare with Definitions
Elated
Feeling an intense, uplifting emotion due to success or good fortune.
She was elated to find out she had been accepted into her first-choice university.
Delighted
Showing a high degree of pleasure or joy.
The child was delighted with the new puppy.
Elated
Experiencing a heightened sense of happiness, often temporarily.
The team was elated by their unexpected win against the top-ranked team.
Delighted
Experiencing a strong positive reaction to something pleasing or satisfying.
She was delighted at the opportunity to meet her favorite author.
Elated
Feeling or expressing great joy or pride, especially because of a triumph or success.
She was elated after her proposal was accepted by the committee.
Delighted
Experiencing joy or pleasure from a particular event or activity.
She was delighted to see her family after a long year abroad.
Elated
Overjoyed or thrilled, typically due to a significant personal achievement.
He felt elated when he crossed the finish line first.
Delighted
Pleased or gratified by something or someone very much.
They were delighted with the critical acclaim their film received.
Elated
Marked by high spirits or jubilation.
They were elated at the news of their daughter's engagement.
Delighted
Feeling great pleasure or satisfaction, especially from something that meets one’s tastes or expectations.
He was delighted by the surprise birthday party his friends organized.
Elated
Exultantly proud and joyful.
Delighted
Delighted (Persian: ارادتمند؛ نازنین، بهاره، تینا, romanized: Eradatmand) is an unreleased 2016 drama film written and directed by Abdolreza Kahani. Starring Mahnaz Afshar, Tannaz Tabatabaei, Aida Mahiani, Mehran Ghafourian and Sahar Dolatshahi, Delighted is the story of three Iranian women "who want to have a good time" and to attain that end, are doing their best to find rich men for themselves.
Elated
Extremely happy and excited; delighted; pleased, euphoric.
She was elated with her new car.
Delighted
Filled with delight.
Elated
Simple past tense and past participle of elate
Delighted
(Obsolete) Delightful.
Elated
Exultantly proud and joyful; in high spirits;
The elated winner
Felt elated and excited
Delighted
Greatly pleased.
Elated
Full of high-spirited delight
Delighted
Filled with wonder and delight.
Delighted
Simple past tense and past participle of delight
Delighted
Endowed with delight.
If virtue no delighted beauty lack.
Delighted
Greatly pleased
Delighted
Filled with wonder and delight
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between being elated and delighted?
Being elated often stems from personal achievements or success, while being delighted is usually a reaction to external pleasurable events or surprises.
Can everyday occurrences make someone feel elated or delighted?
While everyday occurrences are more likely to make someone feel delighted, certain personal milestones achieved in day-to-day life can also make someone feel elated.
How do you know if you're elated or delighted?
You’re likely elated if your happiness is due to a personal success or achievement. You’re probably delighted if your happiness comes from a specific event, gesture, or experience that brings you joy.
Do cultural differences affect what makes people elated or delighted?
Yes, cultural differences can influence what achievements or events trigger elation or delight, reflecting varied values and sources of joy.
Can someone feel both elated and delighted at the same time?
Yes, someone can feel both elated and delighted at the same time, especially in situations where an achievement is both a personal success and involves external factors that bring joy.
Is elation a stronger emotion than delight?
Elation is often described as a more intense and euphoric emotion, while delight is more about deep pleasure and contentment, making the former potentially stronger in terms of intensity.
How do expressions of being elated differ from those of being delighted?
Expressions of elation might be more exuberant or related to pride, while expressions of delight might focus on satisfaction and pleasure.
Is elation more about the future or the past?
Elation is often about the present or immediate past, particularly in response to a recent achievement or good news.
How do elation and delight affect mental health?
Both emotions are beneficial to mental health, contributing to overall happiness and satisfaction with life.
Can children feel elated or delighted?
Children can experience both emotions, often feeling elated over personal successes like winning a game, and delighted by surprises or enjoyable activities.
How do life experiences impact feelings of elation or delight?
Life experiences can shape what we find joy in and what achievements make us feel elated, influencing our emotional responses over time.
Can external factors like weather influence feelings of elation or delight?
Yes, external factors like weather can influence mood and thus the likelihood of experiencing these emotions.
Is it possible to feel elated or delighted for someone else?
Yes, it’s possible to feel either emotion vicariously, especially when someone you care about experiences success or joy.
Can elation or delight have a negative impact?
While generally positive, extreme elation can lead to disappointment if expectations are not managed, and constant pursuit of delight can detract from finding contentment in ordinary moments.
How do elation and delight influence social interactions?
These positive emotions can make individuals more engaging and sociable, often enhancing social interactions and relationships.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
