joyful

[joi-fuh l]

See more synonyms for joyful on Thesaurus.com

adjective

full of joy, as a person or one's heart; glad; delighted.
showing or expressing joy, as looks, actions, or speech.
causing or bringing joy, as an event, a sight, or news; delightful: the joyful announcement of their marriage.

Origin of joyful

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at joy, -ful

Related formsjoy·ful·ly, adverbjoy·ful·ness, nouno·ver·joy·ful, adjectiveo·ver·joy·ful·ly, adverbo·ver·joy·ful·ness, nounun·joy·ful, adjectiveun·joy·ful·ly, adverb

Synonyms

See more synonyms for joyful on Thesaurus.com

1. joyous, happy, blithe; buoyant, elated, jubilant. See gay.

Antonyms

1. melancholy.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for joyful

Contemporary Examples

On the night of January 9th, 2011, Juba was the most joyful place on earth.
Confronting George Clooney’s Critics on South Sudan
John Avlon
October 7, 2014
Rather ironically, the models seemed much more at ease—in fact, joyful—than any of the passersby.
Naked on a New York Street—for Art
Emily Shire
September 16, 2014
It transforms the protest into a joyful celebratory atmosphere that is hard to control.
Why the Left Protests Better: A History of ‘Disobedient Objects’
Nico Hines
July 28, 2014
Comrades, some of the associations of this day are not only triumphant, but joyful.
The Real Memorial Day: Oliver Wendell Holmes's Salute To A Momentous American Anniversary
Malcolm Jones
May 26, 2014
Our parish is alive, joyful, and full of faith, hope, and charity.
As 2014 Began, a Fateful Path to a Catholic Priest’s Murder
Michael Daly
January 3, 2014

Historical Examples

Did she tell you she had the joyful sanction of the registrar?
Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus
Jessie Graham Flower
"I might have known you'd be the first," cried Grace with joyful affection.
Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus
Jessie Graham Flower
The meeting between the two friends was as joyful as their parting had been sorrowful.
Life in London
Edwin Hodder
This is the most joyful hour he has ever given us since the day of his birth.
Lady Susan
Jane Austen
This was joyful news, indeed, for I had begun to think we should be driven to the boats.
Ned Myers
James Fenimore Cooper

British Dictionary definitions for joyful

joyful

adjective

full of joy; elated
expressing or producing joya joyful look; a joyful occasion

Derived Formsjoyfully, adverbjoyfulness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for joyful

adj.

mid-13c., from joy + -ful. Related: Joyfully; joyfulness.

joyful

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}joyful

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples from the Web for joyful

Contemporary Examples

On the night of January 9th, 2011, Juba was the most joyful place on earth.

Rather ironically, the models seemed much more at ease—in fact, joyful—than any of the passersby.

It transforms the protest into a joyful celebratory atmosphere that is hard to control.

Comrades, some of the associations of this day are not only triumphant, but joyful.

Our parish is alive, joyful, and full of faith, hope, and charity.

Historical Examples

Did she tell you she had the joyful sanction of the registrar?

"I might have known you'd be the first," cried Grace with joyful affection.

The meeting between the two friends was as joyful as their parting had been sorrowful.

This is the most joyful hour he has ever given us since the day of his birth.

This was joyful news, indeed, for I had begun to think we should be driven to the boats.

joyful

Word Origin and History for joyful

adj.

Origin of joyful