English Reference
Adjective

uplifting

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈəˌpɫɪftɪŋ/ UK /ʌplˈɪftɪŋ/ up·lift·ing

adj.something that makes you feel happy, hopeful, or full of energy. You use this to describe things like music, movies, or stories that improve your mood.

adj.inspiring a sense of happiness, optimism, or spiritual well-being. Often used to describe creative works or personal experiences that provide emotional encouragement.


SIMPLE

The movie has a very uplifting ending.

CONTEXTUAL

After a difficult week at work, she found the choir's performance incredibly uplifting.

COMPLEX

The speaker delivered an uplifting address that focused on community resilience and the potential for positive change despite the current economic climate.

Usage

Commonly follows linking verbs like 'be', 'feel', or 'find'; frequently modifies nouns like 'story', 'message', or 'experience'.

Uplifting and achingly funny, the original New York production was the biggest winner of the 2023 Tony awards.

The Guardian· 8 Sept 2026

From uplift + -ing.

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

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated