English Reference
adjective

triumphant

adj.
US /tɹaɪˈəmfənt/ UK /tɹaɪˈʌmfənt/ tri·umphant

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    having won a battle, game, or competition.

    having achieved victory or success; conquering.

    Simple

    The triumphant team carried their trophy through the streets of the city.

    In context

    The triumphant army marched through the capital, greeted by cheering crowds who had waited years for the conflict to end.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    feeling or showing great happiness because you have won or succeeded.

    rejoicing in victory or success; displaying an exultant or celebratory attitude.

    Simple

    She gave a triumphant smile as she finished the difficult race in first place.

    In context

    He returned to the office with a triumphant expression, having finally secured the contract that would save the company from bankruptcy.

    exultantjubilantproud
  3. 03 C2 Proficiency ArchaicLiterary

    looking very impressive, grand, or beautiful.

    splendid or magnificent in appearance or character.

    Simple

    The palace stood in triumphant beauty against the setting sun.

    In context

    The cathedral was a triumphant example of Gothic architecture, its spires reaching toward the heavens with unparalleled grace.

Then, of course, there is the album’s title track, which cracks open from a soft ballad into a triumphant clatter and swell of strings, electronic chatter and disembodied voices.

The Guardian· 18 Aug 2026

It’s the last night of action in Birmingham and it could be a triumphant one for Britain, with a rack of relays.

The Guardian· 14 Aug 2026

From Old French, from Latin triumphāns, present participle of triumphō (“to triumph; to exult, rejoice”). By surface analysis, triumph + -ant (adjectival suffix).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin triumphāns
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated