joie de vivre

[zhwad^uh vee-vr^uh]

noun

French.

1. a delight in being alive; keen, carefree enjoyment of living.

joie de vivre

/ ʒwa də vivrə /

noun

1. joy of living; enjoyment of life; ebullience

joie de vivre

1. A love of life. From French, meaning “joy of living.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of joie de vivre¹

Literally, “joy of living”

Example Sentences

Adults walked around with the same smiles and joie de vivre as kids.

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In those videos, Deen, now 78, is as full of vitality and joie de vivre as she ever was.

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Their appearance was a sensation – combining sheer technical skill with a thrilling joie de vivre, as they span their double basses, twirled their trumpets and clattered their cowbells, all while clad in Venezuelan-flag jackets.

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“She contains multitudes. She has a lot of joie de vivre. She wants to drink all the marrow out of the moment. I have a feeling she’s always been that way.”

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In “Snail,” a traumatized and lonely young Grace risks becoming a hoarding hermit until she bonds with the older Pinky, who is the essence of joie de vivre.

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Related Words

• gaiety