joy — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A feeling of extreme happiness or cheerfulness, especially related to the acquisition or expectation of something good.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   elationglee

   Antonyms

   infelicityjoylessnessunhappinessunjoy

   Examples

   a child's joy on Christmas morning

   It is his joy to walk in the rain.

   More examples (2)

   […]purſued his vnneighbourly purpoſe in ſuch ſort: that hee being the ſtronger perſwader, and ſhe (belike) too credulous in beleeuing or elſe ouer-feeble in reſiſting, from priuate imparlance, they fell to action; and continued their cloſe fight a long while together, vnſeene and vvithout ſuſpition, no doubt to their equall ioy and contentment.

   It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant. The young priests who lived here wore cassocks and birettas; their faces were fine and mild, yet really strong, like the rector's face; and in their intercourse with him and his wife they seemed to be brothers.

2. Anything that causes such a feeling.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   the joys and demands of parenthood

   For, ye are our glory and ioy.

   More examples (1)

   A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

3. Luck or success; a positive outcome.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Grant had no joy with taking a nap, so he began to systematically feel if everything was working: fingers and toes, etc.

   'Rob? It's Gary. Are you having any joy with this trip to Bali?' 'No joy at all, mate. I reckon Bali's out for the foreseeable future. […]

4. The sign or exhibition of joy; gaiety; merriment; festivity.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Obsolete
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Such ioy made Vna, when her knight she found;

   The roofs with joy resound.

Interjection

1. Expressing appreciation and happiness.

   Usage

   • Dated
   • often
   • sarcastic

   Synonyms

   hurrah

   Examples

   'Joy! joy!' he cried, throwing his arms towards Heaven, 'on a grave be the site of our Temple; and now our happiness is for Eternity!'

   More examples (1)

   Hanrahan closed his mouth, tried unsuccessfully to breathe through his nose, then opened his mouth again. "Oh, joy," he muttered. "This kid doesn't even go to the bathroom, I bet. Probably been taught not to. It isn't nice."

Verb

1. To feel joy, to rejoice.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   for oftymes or this oure lord shewed hym vnto good men and vnto good knyghtes in lykenes of an herte But I suppose from hens forth ye shalle see no more / and thenne they Ioyed moche / and dwelled ther alle that day / And vpon the morowe whan they had herde masse / they departed and commaunded the good man to god

   I joy to see you wear around your neck the holy relic I bestowed on you;—but what Moorish charmlet is that you wear beside it?

   More examples (1)

   1885, Richard Francis Burton (translator), The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Night 18, “Tale of the Portress,” p. 178, I swore readily enough to this and he joyed with exceeding joy and embraced me round the neck while love for him possessed my whole heart.

2. To enjoy.

   Usage

   • Archaic
   • Transitive

   Examples

   I haue my wish, in that I ioy thy sight,

   For from the time that Scudamour her bought, In perilous fight, she neuer ioyed day […].

   More examples (1)

   Is this the Love, is this the recompence Of mine to thee, ingrateful Eve, exprest Immutable when thou wert lost, not I, Who might have liv’d and joyd immortal bliss, Yet willingly chose rather Death with thee:

3. To give joy to; to congratulate.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

   Examples

   Then round our Death-bed ev'ry Friend ſhou'd run, / And joy us of our Conqueſt, early won: […]

   More examples (1)

   Evil like Us they shun, and covet Good; Abhor the Poison, and receive the Food. Like Us they love or hate: like Us they know, To joy the Friend, or grapple with the Foe.

4. To gladden; to make joyful; to exhilarate.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

   Examples

   Yet neither pleasure’s art can joy my spirits, Nor yet the other’s distance comfort me.

Noun

1. the emotion of great happiness

   Synonyms

   joyousnessjoyfulness

   Antonyms

   sorrow

   Broader terms

   emotion

2. something or someone that provides a source of happiness

   Synonyms

   delightpleasure

   Broader terms

   positive stimulus

   Examples

   a joy to behold

   the pleasure of his company

   More examples (1)

   the new car is a delight

Verb

1. feel happiness or joy

   Synonyms

   rejoice

   Broader terms

   feelexperience

2. make glad or happy

   Synonyms

   gladden

   Broader terms

   arouseelicitenkindlekindleevokefireraiseprovoke