overjoy
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of overjoy
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at over-, joy
Explanation
To overjoy is to fill someone with extreme happiness. If you adopt that fuzzy kitten and give it to your little sister, it will absolutely overjoy her. Your teacher has the power to overjoy your whole class — all he has to do is cancel the math quiz and order pizza instead. And you can just as easily overjoy your grandparents by arranging a surprise reunion with all of your cousins. The adjective overjoyed (or "deliriously happy") is more common than the verb overjoy, but they're both great words for describing a thrilling, glorious happiness.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There’s a mix-and-match feel to Battlefront II’s multiplayer that I think is going to overjoy some fans, and infuriate others.
From The Verge ● Jun. 11, 2017
History of the World," he is describing Roman energy in the founding of colonies: "Such an offer, were it made in England, concerning either Virginia or Guiana, it selfe would not overjoy the multitude.
From Great Ralegh by Selincourt, Hugh de
You overjoy me, madam; you shall have it, an 'twere twice as much.
From The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 02 by Scott, Walter, Sir
Bill had to work off his overjoy at this by an exuberant flourish.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 09, No. 51, January, 1862 by Various
Are we not overjoy, dearest, and cannot speak?
From Uncle Silas A Tale of Bartram-Haugh by Le Fanu, Joseph Sheridan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
