joy

1 of 2

noun

ˈjȯi 

1

a

: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires : delight

b

: the expression or exhibition of such emotion : gaiety

2

: a state of happiness or felicity : bliss

3

: a source or cause of delight

joyless

ˈjȯi-ləs 

adjective

joylessly adverb

joylessness noun

joy

2 of 2

verb

joyed; joying; joys

intransitive verb

: to experience great pleasure or delight : rejoice

transitive verb

1

archaic : gladden

2

archaic : enjoy

Synonyms

Noun

• beatitude
• blessedness
• bliss
• blissfulness
• felicity
• gladness
• happiness
• warm fuzzies

Verb

• crow
• delight
• exuberate
• exult
• glory
• jubilate
• kvell
• rejoice
• triumph

Examples of joy in a Sentence

Noun

Their sorrow turned to joy.

I can hardly express the joy I felt at seeing her again.

Seeing her again brought tears of joy to my eyes.

The flowers are a joy to behold!

What a joy it was to see her again.

Verb

the whole town is joying in the fact that its oldest church has been restored to its Victorian splendor

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Venezuelan expats in the United States followed the team feverishly, many of them crying tears of joy as Batista’s side battled their way into the knockout stage. —Felipe Cardenas, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025

For Israelis, joy at the return of some of the hostages is tempered by trepidation about the fate of the rest. —Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2025

Verb

Make networking, socializing and participating in activities that bring you joy your priorities. —Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 29 June 2024

Acevedo’s treatment of magic as an everyday possibility is compelling, but there is also magic in the wonder, surprise, frustrations, and joys the characters experience in their relationships with one another. —Nicole Chung, Time, 25 July 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French joie, from Latin gaudia, plural of gaudium, from gaudēre to rejoice; probably akin to Greek gēthein to rejoice

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing joy

• jump for joy
• pride and joy
• shout for joy

Kids Definition

joy

1 of 2 noun

ˈjȯi 

1

: a feeling of great pleasure or happiness that comes from success, good fortune, or a sense of well-being : gladness

2

: something that gives joy

a joy to behold

joyless

-ləs 

adjective

joylessness noun

joy

2 of 2 verb

: to experience joy : rejoice