Kvell

To feel or express exuberant pride and delight, especially in someone else's achievement.

Reach for it when using a Yiddish-derived verb for warm, openly voiced pride

Parents will kvell when the young orchestra takes its first bow.

• playful

  gush

  enthusiastic praise pours out freely

  not when Gush can dismiss sincere feeling as excessive or undiscriminating.

• everyday

  brag

  someone repeatedly tells others about an achievement

  not when Brag is usually critical and centers self-display rather than affectionate pride.

• warm

  beam

  pride or delight is visible in someone's expression

  not when Beam describes appearance and may occur without speaking.

• professional

  take pride

  measured satisfaction in an achievement is appropriate

  not when Take pride is restrained and lacks kvell's overflowing warmth.

• formal

  rejoice

  deep joy at the event is central

  not when Rejoice does not specifically involve pride in another person.

• literary

  glow with pride

  quiet visible pride is the intended image

  not when Glow with pride is gentler and less exuberantly verbal.

• belittle
• lament
• feel ashamed

• kvell with pride

  The mentors kvelled with pride at the apprentices' first exhibition.

• parents kvell

  Parents kvell when the shy singer finds her full voice.

• reason to kvell

  The community had reason to kvell over its young volunteers.

Kvell is a Yiddish-derived word with strong cultural flavor. Context should make its warm pride clear without treating it as novelty.