Exultingly

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a manner that conveys an overwhelming sense of joy and celebration, often in response to a noteworthy achievement or victory
2. Acting with intense delight and enthusiasm, marked by an exuberant expression of happiness over a success or accomplishment
3. Displaying a pronounced and exuberant joy, especially in celebration of a significant achievement or momentous occasion

Etymology: "Exultingly" is a plain formation: the adjective "exulting" with the suffix "-ly" added. "Exulting" is the present participle of "exult," which comes from Latin "exsultare," meaning to leap or jump up, often with joy. The Latin verb is built from "ex-" (out, up) and "saltare" (to leap, dance), so the root image is of someone springing up with delight. The suffix does the adverbial work. It descends from an old Germanic word for "body, form, appearance" that came to mark qualities, and it passed through Old English "-līċe" and Middle English "-ly" before becoming the everyday adverb-maker it is now. Attaching it to a participle lets the word describe the manner in which an action is done, so "exultingly" describes someone acting in the leaping, joyful way that the Latin verb once pictured.

Synonyms: joyfully, gleefully, elatedly, happily

Antonyms: sadly, mournfully, dejectedly