overjoy

American  

[oh-ver-joi] / ˌoʊ vərˈdʒɔɪ /

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to feel great joy or delight; elate.

   It overjoys me to hear of your good fortune. I was overjoyed at her safe arrival.

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overjoy British  

/ ˌəʊvəˈdʒɔɪ /

verb

1. (tr) to give great delight to

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Other Word Forms

• overjoyed
  adjective

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

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

Adam cried, 'The Lily;' but the sweet voice at his side, Grown tremulous and faint with overjoy, Could only whisper, 'Purity.'

From The Continental Monthly, Vol. 3 No 2, February 1863 Devoted To Literature And National Policy by Various

Then Alaeddin passed through it and was met by his wife, when they embraced and exchanged kisses with all delight until they wept for overjoy.

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 13 by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir

Are we not overjoy, dearest, and cannot speak?

From Uncle Silas A Tale of Bartram-Haugh by Le Fanu, Joseph Sheridan

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