- A state of extreme happiness, bliss, or delight.
Explanation
Origin
- Comes from religious traditions (Judaism, Islam) where the highest level of heaven, the abode of God and the angels, is described as the seventh heaven.
- It represents the ultimate state of happiness and perfection.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Buzzing (UK/Aus)
- On top of the world
- Feelin' good
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- (Less common to use vulgarity with this specific feeling, but one might say She was happy as fuck.)
Milder:
- Extremely happy.
- Delighted.
- Very pleased.
Situational Appropriateness
- Suitable for most situations, informal to semi-formal.
- It's slightly poetic or evocative, so might sound a bit much in very dry, technical contexts.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Unlikely to be misunderstood, as the context usually implies extreme happiness.
Examples
- She was in seventh heaven after receiving the award.
- He's in seventh heaven now that his team won the championship.
- A week on the beach? I'd be in seventh heaven!
Dialogue
Anna: How did Mark like the surprise party?
Ben: He was absolutely in seventh heaven! Couldn't stop smiling all night.
Anna: Oh, I'm so glad it went well!
Social Media Examples
- Got engaged this weekend! Still in seventh heaven! 💍💖 #engaged #happy
- Finally finished my thesis. Feeling like I'm in seventh heaven. #PhDLife #Done
Response Patterns
- That's wonderful!
- I'm so happy for you/her/him!
- Oh, lovely!
- What happened? (If the reason isn't clear)
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Usually prompts expressions of shared happiness or questions about the cause of the happiness.
- That's great! What made her so happy?
- Aww, he deserves it.
Conversation Starter
- No. Usually describes a state resulting from an event, rather than starting a conversation.
Intonation
- Calm, happy tone.
- Emphasis often on seventh or heaven.
- She was in SEVENTH HEAVEN.
Generation Differences
- Understood by all generations, perhaps used slightly more by older generations but not exclusively.
Regional Variations
- Widely understood across English-speaking regions.