kvell

Kvell is a verb borrowed from Yiddish, meaning to feel or express great pride and happiness, particularly in someone else’s accomplishments. To kvell is to beam with pride, often about a child’s achievements such as a graduation, a bar or bat mitzvah, or other milestones. The action can be accompanied by clear outward pride, warm affection, and a sense of shared joy. In English, kvell is used mainly in Jewish American English but has penetrated broader usage in multilingual contexts. The noun form is less common but used, as in "a real kvell," to denote a moment or instance of pride, and phrases like "kvell over" or "kvell with pride" are common.

Etymology: The term derives from the Yiddish kvelln, literally "to brim with pride" or "to beam with joy." The exact origin within the broader family of Jewish languages is uncertain, with some associations to the sense of swelling or beaming, rather than from the Hebrew kavod alone.

Usage notes: Kvell is typically used to describe positive pride rather than envy or gloating, and it is often directed at intimate family members or close friends. It is a light, affectionate term and can appear in both spoken and written English, including journalism, essays, and social media.

See also: Beaming, pride, Jewish vernacular.