triumphant
gb/tɹaɪˈʌmfənt/ us/tɹaɪˈʌmfənt/
B2
English
~ 5100
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
state
1
feeling proud after success
Feeling very proud and happy because you won or did very well.
Usage pattern:
[someone] feels/looks triumphant
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "triumphant" for any happiness. It should be used for happiness that comes specifically from winning or a clear success, not just feeling good in general.
Synonyms
elated (Focuses more on intense happiness, not necessarily on winning over others.)
|
exultant (Very close in meaning, but often sounds a bit more formal or literary.)
|
proud (More general; does not always suggest a clear victory like "triumphant" does.)
Antonyms
defeated (Suggests feeling like a loser after failure, the emotional opposite of triumphant.)
|
downcast (Describes a sad, discouraged mood, contrasting with the joy in being triumphant.)
Collocations
triumphant smile
|triumphant grin
|triumphant shout
|feel triumphant
|look triumphant
|stand triumphant
Themes
emotions
|success
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She gave a triumphant smile as her name was announced as the winner.
- He walked off the field triumphant after scoring the winning goal.
- The students were triumphant when they all passed the difficult exam.
- With a triumphant shout, he held the trophy high above his head.
- They exchanged triumphant looks when their plan finally worked.
Learner examples
- He felt triumphant after he won the race.
- The child gave a triumphant smile when she finished the puzzle.
- They were triumphant because their team did not lose a game.
- She looked triumphant as she walked onto the stage.
- We were triumphant when we solved the hard problem.
adjective
B2
state
2
having won; victorious
Having won or been very successful in something.
Usage pattern:
[person/thing] is triumphant (in/over [something])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "triumphant" with the related adjective "triumphal". Use "triumphant" to describe the person or group that wins (a triumphant team), and "triumphal" mainly for things like a triumphal arch or a triumphal procession.
Synonyms
victorious (Almost the same meaning; slightly more formal and often used in news or historical writing.)
|
successful (Broader and more neutral; does not always suggest beating an opponent like "triumphant" does.)
Antonyms
defeated (Describes the side that lost the contest or struggle, the opposite status to being triumphant.)
|
unsuccessful (Indicates that a plan or effort did not work, the basic opposite of a triumphant result.)
Collocations
triumphant team
|triumphant campaign
|triumphant comeback
|triumphant return
|emerge triumphant
|triumphant march
Themes
success
|sports
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The underdog team emerged triumphant after a tense final match.
- Years later, she made a triumphant return to the company as its new CEO.
- The party was triumphant in the election, winning a large majority of seats.
- He stood on the podium, a triumphant champion at last.
- Against all expectations, the small startup was triumphant over its much larger rivals.
Learner examples
- Our school team was triumphant in the final game.
- The singer made a triumphant return to the stage.
- Her project was triumphant and won first prize.
- The army was triumphant in the battle.
- After many problems, the company is finally triumphant in the market.
adjective
C1
property
3
sounding or looking like a victory
Describing music, a voice, or an ending that seems very strong and happy, like a big win.
Usage pattern:
a triumphant [sound/music/ending/moment]
Common mistake:
Learners may think "triumphant" here only describes people, but it is also very common with music, endings, and scenes that sound or look like a victory celebration.
Synonyms
uplifting (Focuses more on making people feel good; does not always imply victory like "triumphant" does.)
|
exultant (Often used for music or tone that strongly expresses joy after success, very close to this sense.)
|
grand (Suggests something large and impressive, but not always clearly linked to success or winning.)
Antonyms
somber (Describes music or mood that is dark or serious, the opposite feel of triumphant sound or scenes.)
|
mournful (Describes a sad, grieving sound or tone, contrasting the celebratory quality of triumphant music or endings.)
Collocations
triumphant music
|triumphant finale
|triumphant ending
|triumphant fanfare
|triumphant chords
Themes
arts
|entertainment
|emotions
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Examples
- The movie ends with triumphant music as the heroes ride into the sunset.
- A triumphant fanfare of brass instruments filled the hall.
- The symphony builds slowly toward a loud, triumphant finale.
- Her speech rose to a triumphant climax that brought the audience to its feet.
- The game finished on a triumphant note when the crowd sang together.
Learner examples
- The band played triumphant music at the end of the show.
- The film has a triumphant ending when the family is together again.
- Trumpets gave a loud, triumphant sound as the team walked in.
- The story closes with a triumphant scene of peace and joy.
- We heard a triumphant song when the hero won.
Grammar
Dictionary form
triumphant
IPA
GB/tɹaɪˈʌmfənt/
US/tɹaɪˈʌmfənt/
Syllables & stress
tri - umphant (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (umphant)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: triumphant
Word family
Core family
triumph
noun B2
triumphantly
adverb
Related words
triumphal
adjective
Advanced or less common
triumphalism
noun
triumphalist
noun
Expressions
triumphant return
1/tɹaɪˈʌmfənt ɹɪtˈɚn/
fixed phrase
return after notable success
When someone comes back to a place after doing very well or becoming popular or important.
Examples
- After three years abroad, she made a triumphant return to her hometown.
- The actor enjoyed a triumphant return to television with a hit new series.
- The team’s triumphant return was greeted by thousands of cheering fans at the airport.
triumphant smile
1/tɹaɪˈʌmfənt smˈaɪl/
fixed phrase
proud, victorious smile
A smile that shows someone is very proud and happy because they have won or done very well.
Examples
- He shot her a triumphant smile when he solved the puzzle first.
- With a triumphant smile, the child held up his gold medal.