107 Examples of Positive Emotions

John Spacey, October 20, 2021

Positive emotions are mental states that feel good or that produce productive behaviors in individuals. Emotions color all thoughts such that they are essentially modes of thinking. As such, positive emotions tend to generate positive thoughts such as optimism and brave behaviors such as being outgoing socially. This being said, positive emotions can go to far. For example, pride can become arrogance or confidence can become delusional. The following are illustrative examples of positive emotions.

Absorbed	Admiring
Adoring	Affable
Affectionate	Amicable
Amorous	Amused
Animated	Attentive
Blissful	Buoyant
Calm	Captivated
Carefree	Caring
Cheerful	Chill
Compassionate	Composed
Confident	Contemplative
Contented	Cool
Courageous	Creative
Curious	Determined
Dignified	Dreamy
Eager	Ecstatic
Elegant	Empathetic
Enchanted	Engaged
Entertained	Enthralled
Enthusiastic	Euphoric
Excited	Fascinated
Fearless	Free
Friendly	Generous
Giving	Gleeful
Gracious	Grateful
Gratified	Happy
Honored	Hopeful
Humble	Humorous
Imaginative	Innocent
Inspired	Intense
Intrigued	Introspective
Inventive	Joyous
Jubilant	Keen
Laid-back	Lighthearted
Lively	Lovestruck
Loving	Meditative
Merry	Nostalgic
Optimism	Passionate
Peaceful	Pensive
Philosophical	Playful
Pleased	Proud
Reflective	Refreshed
Relaxed	Relieved
Romantic	Satisfied
Sense of Wonder	Sentimental
Serene	Sociable
Softhearted	Spirited
Strong	Sympathetic
Tender	Touched
Tranquil	Triumphant
Trusting	Understanding
Unruffled	Untroubled
Upbeat	Warm
Whimsical

Some emotions create positive feelings but have a dark side such that they are considered negative. For example, schadenfreude is joy inspired by the troubles of others.

Many emotions that create negative feelings can create positive behaviors. For example, a sense of shame at something that you have done wrong that inspires acts of redemption such as apologies.

Emotions can be both happy and sad. For example, melancholy is a gentle sadness that is almost enjoyable. Likewise, feelings such as nostalgia and love can feel painful despite being positive emotions.