You’d think figuring out how to describe happiness would be easy…
but when you’re trying to think of how to express happiness in a sentence, it’s easy to draw a blank. That’s why I’m sharing this list of ways to describe happiness, excitement, and joy. I hope these happy phrases help with your novel, story, or whatever you’re writing!
When I shared my Master List of Ways to Describe Anger the other week, on my Facebook author page, one person told me she expected a paywall when she clicked. That was a pretty nice compliment! So I thought I’d do one on how to describe happiness, too. Most of the time, you can express emotions through internal monologue, dialogue, and actions. Once in a while, though, you run into the need to describe the feeling in the point of view of your character.
There are really infinite ways to convey emotion in writing. I have 100 ways here to write about happiness, joy, contentment, hope, and gratitude here. They’re not in any particular order — really, it’s just the order that I thought of them. 🙂
They aren’t all going to be ones you use personally, because every writer is different! Chances are, they’ll make you think of even more words and phrases.
How to Describe Happiness
his heart leaped up for joy
he felt a surge of happiness
I was paralyzed with happiness
their mood lifted
she was bursting with joy
he could hardly contain his happiness
his mood lightened
my spirits brightened
hope bloomed inside her
happiness glowed inside him
he felt a sudden flare of joy
I could barely conceal my delight
they were flabbergasted with joy
sunshine flooded her soul
his spirits were flying high
her hopes soared
she felt like her feet barely touched the ground
joy engulfed me
it cheered her soul
joy took hold of him
inside, she was smiling
she almost jumped for joy
happiness overtook him
she took a defiant joy in it
happiness streaked through him like a comet
a quiet contentment spread through him
contentment filled her heart
happiness trembled inside of her
his heart dared to hope
happiness swelled within her
gratitude flowed through her
had she ever been happier in her life?
it elevated his mood
he couldn’t think of a time he’d ever been happier
their joy unfolded like a flower
she felt a glimmer of happiness
he felt dizzy with excitement
joy rushed through me
my happiness was so intense it scared me
he thought he would die of joy
her heart was singing
she felt drunk with happiness
he was intoxicated with joy
his heart throbbed with happiness
she burned with a fierce joy
happiness crept over him
it was almost more happiness than she could take
he knew a profound joy
her happiness grew
I was wild with joy
happiness expanded inside him
they were suffused with happiness
joy sparkled inside her
happiness shimmered inside me
happiness danced through her thoughts
he almost collapsed with happiness
it raised his spirits
it brought my spirits up
contentment warmed her from within
happiness radiated through him
he’d never felt more alive
she felt fully and wonderfully alive
I was filled with joyful energy
she could’ve wept for joy
I wanted to shout for joy
he was weak with gratitude
his heart pounded with happiness
she savored the feeling of contentment
a sudden feeling of happiness surprised him
an unexpected happiness consumed her
happiness made me feel invincible
joy rippled through him
gratitude welled up inside her
he felt a flush of happiness
happiness resonated through him
she was transported with joy
it was almost too much happiness to bear
contentment tiptoed into her heart
he was overcome with happiness
he’d unearthed a greater joy than any he’d ever known
her spirits bounded higher
it brought him a ray of happiness
she felt a whisper of happiness
he felt an inkling of joy
she felt a stab of hope
satisfaction settled in his soul
happiness washed over her
his soul took flight
she felt in love with the whole world
he had no words for the gratitude he felt
she was buzzing with happiness
she felt like she was floating
he was in heaven
she was treasuring every moment
she surrendered to bliss
the weight lifted from my soul
he felt a solemn sense of happiness
joy bubbled up inside of her
his happiness overflowed
my heart almost broke with joy
I’m curious: if you read the whole list straight through, did it make you feel happier? It had that effect on me!
Either way, I hope you’re happy to have the list! And if you you like lists for writers, check out my book Master Lists for Writers, if you haven’t already!
Do you have some ideas about how to describe happiness? Would you like to share an example of a description of happiness from your own writing? Please go ahead in the comments section below! Thanks for stopping by, and happy writing!
Bryn, your posts are always filled with such awesome information for the reader and writer in all of us! Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy life to do this. And, yes, I was smiling towards the end!
Hi, Marcia! Oh, I’m so glad you like them. 🙂
Yup! U r right!
I love these lists. I print them out and use them regularly. They help inspire and find the right words. I use them as a cheat sheet.
Constance, I’m so glad they’re helpful! I do think of them as “cheat sheets” (except it’s not really cheating, of course!)
These are great! And SO helpful!! <3
Hi, Caro! Aw thanks. Hope you’re having a great week!
You helped me improve in my composition a lot.THANK YOU!???
I absolutely love your lists. I refer to them all the time when I find myself needing inspiration or repeating too many phrases. Thank you so much for sharing.
Ohh, thank you friend. 🙂
Wonderful list! Thank you, Bryn.
Thank you so much. I’m so happy that I’ll no longer spend minutes trying to convey a simple emotion and it’s all thanks to you!
Thanks, Bryn. These are great descriptions. 🙂 — Suzanne
Thanks Bryn, I’ve saved this and will use it often. Happiness has crept over me!
Cary
How amazing! Where do you get all these ideas from?
Aw thanks! It took me a long time. 🙂
How long????
Thanks for this wonderful list about happiness
I was wondering on Google and I found this!!! Such a lovely article ?
I too write on aintyouliving.blogspot.com from India. Hopefully you’ll find something interesting on my blog.
Well, love from India ♥️
This was so useful! I started using a few in my everyday writing and it’s made a huge difference
This is a great post and a huge help for writers like myself. Amazing information! Thank you.
Hi Margie! Thanks—I am so glad you found it useful!
Hi! I kind of used this in my writing. Thank you so much!
What I wrote:
The room erupted in cheers. People were laughing and smiles were everywhere. Thank GOODNESS! I could barely conceal my happiness. Joy and relief welled up inside of me, and I sighed. I let out the deep breath that I had been holding onto for what seemed like a long time. My job here was done and my dream… had come true.
Ashlyn, so glad it helped. And I love what you wrote! Thanks for sharing!
Wow! Amazing ?! I LOVE it!!!
what an amazing list of words, enjoyed it thank you!!
they helped me a lot in my creative writings.
Wow,Bryn! Thank you ?! I use it a lot on my Compositions!
OMG this is priceless, thank you thank you thank you thank you! Bless your soul for this.
thx, my child now gets high marks for her compo
awww you are soo sweet,you are helpful you are a role modelll:)
Nice List
thanks this really helped with my compo
???
my god! Amazing stuff!, huge round of Applause!!
I am Sheema Suroor Mohammad
Thanks heaps great list!!
Thank you. This is exactly what i was looking for. Please note that you are helping emerging authors with this your list that i personally refer to as inexhaustible list.
That is an impressive list! Thanks for sharing!
Happy to learn happiness in so many words, Wonder how it comprehends so wide! Thank you so much.
this really helped me and i fucking hate you
I found this website a couple of days ago, and let me tell you, I love it so much! These are so helpful when trying to make things sound interesting without using the same phrases over and over again!
Thank you for making these!
Simply amazing. Very well listed. we do find words but not phrases. And you have done an fantastic work by putting them in phrases and Its not just saved our time but you made me learn a many of them.
Thank you so much.
That is an amazing list of phrases. I am totally overwhelmed by your great work!
Millions of thanks from an English learner in China.
You are a hero!