Eudemonic

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. pertaining to a state of happiness found in achieving fulfillment and meaning in life, linked to the pursuit of joy and overall human flourishing
2. Connected to a form of happiness that arises from living a meaningful and purposeful life focused on self-improvement and fulfillment
3. Describing well-being derived from deeply meaningful experiences and the realization of personal potential

Etymology: Ancient Greek philosophers built a whole theory of the good life on the idea behind this word. "Eudaimonia" combined "eu," meaning "well" or "good," with "daimon," a word for a spirit or divine power, so its literal sense was roughly "having a good spirit" or "being favoured by fortune." Aristotle made it the central aim of human existence, the flourishing that people pursue for its own sake rather than as a means to something else. Translators have long struggled with it, often rendering it as "happiness," though many scholars prefer "flourishing" because it implies活动 and achievement rather than a passing mood. "Eudaemonic" is the adjective form, built from "eudaimonia" with the Greek suffix "-ikos," meaning "pertaining to." It describes things connected to that kind of deep, purposeful well-being. The English spelling "eudaemonic," with the "ae" digraph, is the more traditional form, while "eudemonic" simply drops the diphthong.

Synonyms: happy, joyful, blissful

Antonyms: unhappy, miserable