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

Derived Forms

• ˈjoyfulness, noun
• ˈjoyfully, adverb

Other Words From

• joyful·ly adverb
• joyful·ness noun
• over·joyful adjective
• over·joyful·ly adverb
• over·joyful·ness noun
• un·joyful adjective
• un·joyful·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of joyful¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; joy + -ful

Example Sentences

“I’ve been writing my whole life. So, to get global recognition when competing with creators from across the world, has been a joyful experience,” she tells me.

From BBC

There was not much time to be joyful about her escape.

From Los Angeles Times

They are worried — or joyful — about Trump and his sequel.

From Salon

But her nascent campaign opted to ditch Biden's core argument that Trump posed an existential threat to democracy, prioritising a forward-looking "joyful" message about protecting personal freedoms and preserving the middle class.

From BBC

"Hard work can be joyful work, and the fight for our country is always worth it," she said.

From Salon

Related Words

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