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

Women are in tears, young girls hug their friends, and that moment of joyful communion conveys what was at the heart of why the festival was so successful.

From Salon

Plaza, on the other hand, approaches the project with joyful, anarchic glee, taking to heart Coppola’s own sense of play.

From Los Angeles Times

The years away from making new music and the experiences of life, both joyful and scarring, have refined her voice like a barrel-aged wine.

From Los Angeles Times

Mrs King, 42, described Bebe as "joyful", "hilarious" and "magical", and said her bond with her daughter had been "spiritual".

From BBC

“He was always a joyful, energetic 5-year-old and always having fun, loved everybody. He had just actually started kindergarten a couple of weeks ago,” Kessler said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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