What it means
It means you're ridiculously happy, properly floating, like good news has picked you up and your feet haven't quite touched the floor since. You'd say you're on cloud nine when something brilliant happens and you're grinning at walls, people, and probably your own reflection too.
Usage examples
"She’s been on cloud nine since the engagement, swanning round the pub grinning, buying a round, and calling the barman mate like she owns the place."
"She's been on cloud nine since the acceptance letter came, humming round the kitchen all weekend."
"We were on cloud nine after the gig, walked the whole way home just to keep the buzz going."
"He was on cloud nine after passing his driving test, texting everyone like he'd just won the lottery."
"I'm still on cloud nine from seeing her name on the shortlist, honestly haven't come back down yet."
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Where it comes from
The phrase was around in American English by the mid 20th century. A popular link is the old U.S. Weather Bureau cloud classification, where cloud nine was the towering highest cloud type, a cumulonimbus. That helped cement the idea of being right at the top, joy-wise.
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