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Synonyms

joyful

American  
[joi-fuhl] / ˈdʒɔɪ fəl /

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 British  
/ ˈdʒɔɪfʊl /

adjective

  1. full of joy; elated

  2. expressing or producing joy

    a joyful look

    a joyful occasion

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • joyfully adverb
  • joyfulness noun
  • overjoyful adjective
  • overjoyfully adverb
  • overjoyfulness noun
  • unjoyful adjective
  • unjoyfully adverb

Etymology

Origin of joyful

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

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.

State visits can be uncomfortable, joyful, tense and unifying - in the space of just a few days.

From BBC

Clare thought it was joyful and lovely, though Brickbane had always grumbled about it, for it made the book fat and sticky.

From Literature

You can salute Venezuela for a spirited and thrilling victory, and the Venezuelan fans for nine innings of joyful delirium.

From Los Angeles Times

"You rejoice and cry, and you tremble inside from the emotion -- seeing those eyes that are both sad and joyful and filled with tears," she told AFP during a recent prisoner exchange.

From Barron's

They laughed till it hurt, while Wolf pranced around with a joyful rocking gait, tossing and catching the frozen lemming.

From Literature