adjective
ebullient
i-BULL-yuhnt
Ebullient (adjective) means Cheerful, lively and openly full of energy and enthusiasm. Example: “He arrived in ebullient mood, hugging everyone in the room.”
adjective
1
Cheerful, lively and openly full of energy and enthusiasm.
"He arrived in ebullient mood, hugging everyone in the room."
"The ebullient crowd sang all the way to the station."
2
Of markets, sentiment or activity: strong and rising in a confident, excitable way.
"Shares climbed again in an ebullient session."
How to use ebullient
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBubbling over with cheerfulness and energy.
When to use it
Formal or literary; common in profile writing and journalism.
Memory tip
Ebullient describes an outward, visible mood — if someone is quietly content, 'contented' or 'serene' fits better.
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Easily confused with
Common pairings
ebullient mood
ebullient personality
ebullient crowd
irrepressibly ebullient
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He arrived in _____ mood, hugging everyone in the room.
Etymology
From Latin ebullire 'to boil up', from e- 'out' and bullire 'to boil' — the same root as 'boil'.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for ebullient
See all rhymes for ebullient →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ebullient and exuberant?
Both mean overflowing with high spirits, and they are often interchangeable. Ebullient leans towards a bubbling, irrepressible mood that keeps breaking out, while exuberant leans towards abundant energy or growth — you can have exuberant foliage but not ebullient foliage.
How do you pronounce ebullient?
Say i-BULL-yuhnt, with the stress on the second syllable and 'bull' as in the animal. The variant i-BYOO-lee-uhnt is also heard, especially in American English.
Is ebullient a compliment?
Generally yes — it describes someone warm, energetic and good company. It can tip into mild criticism if the context suggests the person is too loud or too much for the occasion.
What is the meaning of ebullient?
"ebullient" (adjective) means cheerful, lively and openly full of energy and enthusiasm.
