What does exuberance mean?
Word: Exuberance
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Exuberance means lively, happy energy and excitement that seems to bubble over.
Synonyms: high spirits, liveliness
How do you spell exuberance?
Syllables: ex - u - ber - ance
Tricky part: Exhausted and exhibition have an h after the x, so pupils often slip one in here too. This word has none: the x is followed straight by u.
Watch out for: exhuberance, exuburance
Memory tip: Exuberance is far too excited to wait for an h, so the x runs straight on into the u.
Exuberance in a sentence
Example 1: The puppy greeted us with such exuberance that it knocked over its water bowl.
Example 2: Her exuberance on stage made the whole audience smile.
Example 3: Even after a long day, the twins still had plenty of exuberance left for a game of tag.
Fun Fact
The word goes back to Latin exuberare, to be fruitful or to overflow, from uber, meaning fertile.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
When the final bell rang on the last day of term, the children poured into the playground with such exuberence that the teachers stood back and laughed.
a) laughed
b) exuberence
c) playground
d) teachers
Show answer
b) exuberence. This word takes the same ending as abundance and importance.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word exuberance as used in the sentence:
The band played with great exuberance, and soon everyone in the hall was dancing.
a) vigour
b) zest
c) enthusiasm
d) listlessness
Show answer
d) listlessness. Listlessness means having no energy or interest, the reverse of the band's mood.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is misspelt. Choose the meaning of that word:
1. elation 2. exuberance 3. jubilant 4. extravegant
a) a feeling of great happiness and pride
b) full of joy because of a success
c) cheerful energy that overflows
d) spending or using far more than is sensible
Show answer
d) spending or using far more than is sensible. The vowel before the g in extravagant is an a, which gives extravegant away.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A coach praises a young team for its exuberance. What has the coach noticed?
a) how eagerly and joyfully they play
b) how quietly they listen to advice
c) how slowly they walk onto the pitch
d) how carefully they fold their kit
Show answer
a) how eagerly and joyfully they play
2. Which of these shows exuberance best?
a) a child sitting still in a long queue at the bank
b) a child reading the rules of a board game
c) a child skipping and singing on the way to a picnic
d) a child yawning through a film he has seen before
Show answer
c) a child skipping and singing on the way to a picnic
