15+ Slang Words For Yay (And Other Related Terms)

Written by Gabriel Cruz - Foodie, Animal Lover, Slang & Language Enthusiast

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If you're happy and you know it, you say "yay"! Yay is a neatly flexible word to express happiness, excitement, and shock. Do more with this interjection using the slang words below to replace it, and other related slang. Enjoy reading!

Slang Words for Yay (in Alphabetical Order)

Chuffed

Meaning:

  • (Adjective) A British slang for someone who is happy about something. 
  • Example: Contestants on TV game shows seem too chuffed it's unbelievable.

Dog's Bollocks

Meaning:

  • (Idiom) A vulgar British expression blurted out of joy and excitement.
  • Example: His last basketball shot saved our team .It was completely dog’s bollocks.

Edge of One's Seat 

Meaning:

  • (Idiom) To be uneasy or extremely anxious before a big reveal.
  • Example: Lee was on the edge of his seat when he was announced to be the dance champion.

Frenzied 

Meaning:

  • (Verb) To be filled with excitement and show wild behavior.
  • Example: The whole town frenzied as the local hero returned.

Full of the Joys of Spring

Meaning:

  • (Idiom) A British expression for being energetic and happy. Spring is the time when flowers bloom, trees start to color, and the breeze comes a little milder from the winter.
  • Example: After getting a wedding proposal, Andrea pranced into the office full of the joys of spring.

Hurray

Meaning:

  • (Interjection) The lengthy form of yay used to express immense happiness at the moment.
  • Example: Hurray! You are finally moving out of your parents’ house.

Jump for Joy 

Meaning:

  • (Verb) A figurative or literal way of showing one’s pleasure.
  • Example: Gordon jumped for joy when the sales of the restaurant rose higher than expected.

Like a Cheshire Cat 

Meaning:

  • (Expression) A Cheshire cat is a fictional cat that grins from ear to ear and with its whole face. As an expression, it is used for someone that cannot hide their glee.
  • Example: Amy was grinning the whole day like a Cheshire cat because she was casted for the play’s coveted main role.

Like a Dog with Two Tails

Meaning:

  • (Idiom) An American expression for being undoubtedly ecstatic and excited. This was in reference to a dog wagging its tail when happy and should it have two, it would be thought of as extremely ecstatic.
  • Example: Andrea was excited to see her aunt like a dog with two tails after not seeing her for 5 whole years.

Nail-Biter 

Meaning:

  • (Adjective) To describe an excitable moment in reference to a person who bites his nails out of habit.
  • Example: The head to head game between the two football teams was a total nail-biter. No one could guess who would be the winner.

On Cloud Nine

Meaning:

  • (Idiom) The satisfying feeling that elates someone as if one with the clouds. 
  • Example: Lisa was on cloud nine when she got the call from her dream university.

Over the Moon 

Meaning:

  • (Idiom) To be euphoric as if one could fly over the moon.
  • Example: Chef Louis was over the moon when the master chefs gave his dish a perfect score.

Tickled Pink 

Meaning:

  • (Idiom) An expression for someone who is overly joyous first noted in 1922 when someone’s face turns pink when tickled or when laughing. 
  • Example: Sam was tickled pink at the sight of an overwhelming buffet before him.

Yay or Nay 

Meaning:

  • (Expression) A British rhyming slang for yes or no or for a favorable or not situation.
  • Example: Depending on the movie, movie night is a yay or nay for me.

Yippee

Meaning:

  • (Interjection) An expression of excitement used instead of yay. 
  • Example: Yippee! My Amazon order arrived earlier than expected.

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