joyful

[joi-fuhl]

adjective

1. full of joy, as a person or one's heart; glad; delighted.

   Synonyms: jubilant, elated, buoyant, blithe, happy, joyous
   Antonyms: melancholy

2. showing or expressing joy, as looks, actions, or speech.

3. causing or bringing joy, as an event, a sight, or news; delightful.

   the joyful announcement of their marriage.

joyful

/ ˈdʒɔɪfʊl /

adjective

1. full of joy; elated

2. expressing or producing joy

   a joyful look

   a joyful occasion

Other Word Forms

• joyfulness noun
• joyfully adverb
• overjoyful adjective
• overjoyfully adverb
• overjoyfulness noun
• unjoyful adjective
• unjoyfully adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of joyful¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; joy + -ful

Example Sentences

“He was always a joyful, energetic 5-year-old and always having fun, loved everybody. He had just actually started kindergarten a couple of weeks ago,” Kessler said.

From Los Angeles Times

Stern like old school Mexicans always look in portraits but with joyful eyes that reveal his happy-go-lucky attitude to life.

From Los Angeles Times

Even he’s taken aback by how frictionless and joyful this reunion has been.

From Los Angeles Times

The iconic chef represented the type of presenter Burrell was drawn to: exuberant, exacting, joyful in her pedagogy.

From Salon

Harper's family said she was "bright, joyful, and deeply loved".

From BBC

Related Words

• cheerful 
• cheery 
• ecstatic 
• elated 
• enjoyable 
• festive 
• heartening 
• joyous 
• jubilant 
• lighthearted 
• merry 
• pleasurable 
• rapturous 
• upbeat