joyous
Americanadjective
adjective
-
having a happy nature or mood
-
joyful
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of joyous
1275–1325; Middle English < Anglo-French; Old French joios. See joy, -ous
Explanation
Someone or something joyous is characterized by joy: extreme, exuberant, deep happiness. If you won the lottery, you’d probably feel joyous. Joyous is a strong word for the absolute best moments in life. Weddings and graduations are usually described as joyous occasions. You would feel joyous if you accomplished a lifelong goal, such as earning a gold medal in the Olympics. In other words, joyous goes beyond the simple feeling of happiness you might get from watching your favorite TV show or eating a delicious sandwich — unless of course it’s a really amazing sandwich.
Vocabulary lists containing joyous
Smiley Face: Synonyms for "Happy"
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List 2
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American Street
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Her calling apparently came when she encountered a goat on the set of her final film, "The Edifying and Joyous Story of Colinot".
From Barron's • Dec. 28, 2025
Joyous and heartbreaking in equal measure, “Daughters” captures with alert sensitivity the lives of four girls whose fathers are incarcerated in a Washington, D.C., prison.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 7, 2025
Cost concerns led Chad Curl to the telehealth start-up Joyous.
From New York Times • Feb. 20, 2023
Joyous said she “was involved in the initial discussion” about the company but “was not involved in the launch” and now had no affiliation with the firm.
From New York Times • Feb. 20, 2023
“The bravest people are the ones who don’t mind looking Eke cowards. Remember how Lancelot hid in Joyous Gard for months, while we sang songs outside.”
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
