triumph
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a big victory or success that happens after you work very hard or face problems.
n.a significant and conclusive success or victory following an effort, conflict, or confrontation of obstacles.
Simple“Winning the championship was a personal triumph for the young athlete.”
In context“The successful launch of the satellite represented a major technical triumph for the engineering team after years of setbacks.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
n.the feeling of being very happy and proud because you have succeeded.
n.a state of great joy or exultation resulting from a success or victory.
Simple“He returned home in triumph, showing his trophy to everyone he met.”
In context“There was a note of triumph in her voice as she announced that the contract had finally been signed.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
n.a grand parade in Ancient Rome to celebrate a general who won a big war.
n.a formal, sanctified ceremonial procession held in Ancient Rome to publicly honour a victorious military commander.
Simple“The general was granted a triumph through the streets of Rome after his conquest.”
In context“Historians debate the religious significance of the Roman triumph, which served both as a political tool and a ritual of purification for the returning army.”
Synonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to win a victory or be successful against someone or something.
v.to prevail over rivals, challenges, or difficulties; to attain ascendancy through effort.
Simple“In the end, truth and justice will triumph over lies.”
In context“The small independent bookstore managed to triumph over the large retail chains by focusing on community events and curated selections.”
UsageOften used with the preposition 'over'.
- 05 C1 Advanced
v.to show that you are very happy about a victory.
v.to exhibit exultation or to rejoice greatly over a success or an advantage gained.
Simple“They triumphed in their victory, dancing in the streets until late at night.”
In context“It is considered poor sportsmanship to triumph too loudly when your opponent has suffered a humiliating loss.”
“Speaking on the eve of the championships, she welcomed the strong competition and said achieving gold on British soil would mean as much as her Olympic triumph.”
“And after triumphing in the 100m on Monday, she added another gold to her collection with a season's best time of 22.19 seconds in the 200m final on Thursday.”
Emperors, spectacle, and the machinery of keeping a city entertained.
- 01
bread and circuses (idiom)
Food and entertainment handed out by those in power to keep the public quiet.
Juvenal's complaint.
- 02
circus (word)
a show with performers like clowns and acrobats, or a place where many streets meet; it can also describe a very busy or chaotic situation.
The Circus Maximus.
- 03
a Roman holiday (idiom)
Enjoyment taken from watching somebody else suffer.
Byron on the Dying Gaul.
- 04
fiddle while Rome burns (idiom)
To busy yourself with trivia while a disaster you could be addressing unfolds.
Nero and the fire of AD 64.
- 05
laurel (word)
a type of evergreen tree with shiny leaves, often used as a symbol of success or victory.
The victor's wreath.
- 06
rest on one's laurels (idiom)
To rely on past success and stop making the effort to keep improving.
What the wreath came to mean.