joy

¹

[ joi ]

noun

1. the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation:

   She felt the joy of seeing her son's success.

   Synonyms: rapture

   Antonyms: unhappiness, grief, sorrow, misery

2. a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated:

   Her prose style is a pure joy.

3. the expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety.
4. a state of happiness or felicity.

   Synonyms: bliss

verb (used without object)

1. to feel joy; be glad; rejoice.

verb (used with object)

1. Obsolete. to gladden.

Joy

²

or Joye

[ joi ]

noun

1. a female given name.

joy

/ dʒɔɪ /

noun

1. a deep feeling or condition of happiness or contentment
2. something causing such a feeling; a source of happiness
3. an outward show of pleasure or delight; rejoicing
4. informal.
   success; satisfaction

   I went to the bank for a loan, but got no joy

verb

1. intr to feel joy
2. obsolete.
   tr to make joyful; gladden

Other Words From

• un·joyed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of joy¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English joy(e), from Old French joie, joye, from Late Latin gaudia, neuter plural (taken as feminine singular) of Latin gaudium “joy,” equivalent to gaud- (base of gaudēre “to be glad”) + -ium -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of joy¹

C13: from Old French joie, from Latin gaudium joy, from gaudēre to be glad

Idioms and Phrases

see burst with (joy) ; pride and joy .

Synonym Study

See pleasure.

Example Sentences

Her works are filled with whimsy and joy, including a collection of platters and plates featuring inlaid porcelain flowers, vaguely defined creatures that hold birthday candles, penguin pitchers and buddhas.

From Los Angeles Times

Smith had long understood his greatest challenge would be creating a memorial that combines grief and loss with joy and hope.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s been an honour and a joy to have worked on such a funny, witty, and groundbreaking show... I’ll always have a special place in my heart for that blue-haired 10-year-old boy with glasses.”

From BBC

“It’s a fascinating asset because you can get so much joy from it that people are willing to accept lower returns. Joy is not something to be messed with.”

From New York Times

All good and no complaints, but I was losing some joy for what I was doing.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amusement
• bliss
• charm
• cheer
• comfort
• delight
• elation
• glee
• humor
• pride
• satisfaction
• wonder