joy
the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation: She felt the joy of seeing her son's success.
a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated: Her prose style is a pure joy.
the expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety.
a state of happiness or felicity.
to feel joy; be glad; rejoice.
Obsolete. to gladden.
Origin of joy
1synonym study For joy
Other words for joy
Opposites for joy
Other words from joy
- un·joyed, adjective
Words Nearby joy
Other definitions for Joy (2 of 2)
or Joye
a female given name.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use joy in a sentence
Sterrett says every time she performs that melody, it feels like she’s “crashing the party,” bringing some joy and life to the somber proceedings.
Beethoven’s 5th Symphony is a lesson in finding hope in adversity | Charlie Harding | September 11, 2020 | VoxWhen infused with fear, wonder, or joy, these memories always seem sharp enough to transport us back into those exact life events.
Towards ‘Eternal Sunshine’? New Links Found Between Memory and Emotion | Shelly Fan | July 28, 2020 | Singularity HubThere are probably many messages of hate from people who do not share our joy.
Part of what makes us human is those kinds of questions, that kind of curiosity, that kind of joy.
So much joy and freedom can come from spending time in nature.
#BlackBirdersWeek seeks to open the outdoors for everyone | Jonathan Lambert | June 4, 2020 | Science News For Students
It jettisons jiggling ribbons of joy to every part of my body.
‘A Gronking to Remember’ Speed Read: 8 Naughtiest Bits | Emily Shire | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTMarrying another Jew was not just a personal simcha (joy), but one for the community.
There was real joy on his face doling out the cigars and giving some to his wife to pass out from the box.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind | Brin-Jonathan Butler | December 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTjoy Woodhouse calls in to tell her bickering boys Brad and Dallas to “get this out of your system” before Christmas.
Mom Scolds Pundit Sons on C-SPAN | Alex Chancey, The Daily Beast Video | December 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIt takes Sharp four hours to get into character: “I take joy in the mathematical, symmetrical precision and perfectness of Bach.”
Her new joy and excitement, her gaiety and zest for life— all had been caused, not by himself, but by another.
The Wave | Algernon BlackwoodIn Manila particularly, amidst the pealing of bells and strains of music, unfeigned enthusiasm and joy were everywhere evident.
The Philippine Islands | John ForemanLight, the symbol of life's joy, seems to be the first language in which the spirit of beauty speaks to a child.
Children's Ways | James SullyHis holy book says: There is more joy over one sinner that repenteth than over ninety and nine just men.
Then she won, and went half mad with the joy and excitement, but the joy didn't last long.
Rosemary in Search of a Father | C. N. Williamson
British Dictionary definitions for joy
/ (dʒɔɪ) /
a deep feeling or condition of happiness or contentment
something causing such a feeling; a source of happiness
an outward show of pleasure or delight; rejoicing
British informal success; satisfaction: I went to the bank for a loan, but got no joy
(intr) to feel joy
(tr) obsolete to make joyful; gladden
Origin of joy
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with joy
see burst with (joy); pride and joy.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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