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

• joyfully adverb
• joyfulness noun
• 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

As the rafters rocked, the pints spilled and a joyful giddiness filled the Allianz Stadium bowl, it felt impossible that this team would follow the same trajectory.

Read more on BBC

When the boys were tinkering with tunes, they “ping-ponged” ideas with such joyful energy that people in adjoining offices could hear them.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

More than anything, Violent Hour marks a rediscovery of joyful vitality after Harvey’s ugly split with her former metal band, Butcher Babies, which she co-formed and performed in for 14 years.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Even with tighter budgets, they’re finding smart, creative ways to make the season joyful without overspending.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This joyful, sensory, tactile experience can never be replicated virtually and each moment sticks with you for life.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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