What does "joy" mean?
A feeling of extreme happiness or cheerfulness, especially related to the acquisition or expectation of something good.
Joy
/d͡ʒɔɪ/ intj, name, noun, verb
intj, name, noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A feeling of extreme happiness or cheerfulness, especially related to the acquisition or expectation of something good.
- Grammar: joy is listed as intj, name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: delight, pleasure, amusement, be in heaven.
- Useful contrasts: acute sadness, blue planet education, brokenhearted.
- Usage evidence: Her eyes were shining with joy.
How to use "joy"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "joy" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "joy" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "joy" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "joy" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "joy" is acting as intj, name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "delight" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "joy", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A feeling of extreme happiness or cheerfulness, especially related to the acquisition or expectation of something good. countable, uncountable
"a child's joy on Christmas morning"
- 2 something or someone that provides a source of happiness wordnet
- 3 Anything that causes such a feeling. countable, uncountable
"the joys and demands of parenthood"
- 4 the emotion of great happiness wordnet
- 5 Luck or success; a positive outcome. countable, uncountable
"Grant had no joy with taking a nap, so he began to systematically feel if everything was working: fingers and toes, etc."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 The sign or exhibition of joy; gaiety; merriment; festivity. countable, obsolete, uncountable
"Such ioy made Vna, when her knight she found;"
Verb
- 1 To feel joy, to rejoice. intransitive
"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"
- 2 make glad or happy wordnet
- 3 To enjoy. archaic, transitive
"I haue my wish, in that I ioy thy sight,"
- 4 feel happiness or joy wordnet
- 5 To give joy to; to congratulate. obsolete, transitive
"Then round our Death-bed ev'ry Friend ſhou'd run, / And joy us of our Conqueſt, early won: […]"
Show 1 more definition
- 6 To gladden; to make joyful; to exhilarate. obsolete, transitive
"Yet neither pleasure’s art can joy my spirits, Nor yet the other’s distance comfort me."
Intj
- 1 Expressing appreciation and happiness. dated, often, sarcastic
"'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!'"
Proper Noun
- 1 A female given name from English.
""I have no name: / I am but two days old." / What shall I call thee? / "I happy am, / Joy is my name." / Sweet joy befall thee!"
- 2 A surname.
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Her eyes were shining with joy."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "joy"?
Common synonyms include: delight, pleasure, amusement, be in heaven, be pleased, beam.
How do you use "joy" in a sentence?
Her eyes were shining with joy.
How do you pronounce "joy"?
Pronounced /d͡ʒɔɪ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
The noun is from Middle English joye, borrowed from Old French joie, from Late Latin gaudia, neuter plural (mistaken as feminine singular) of Latin gaudium (“joy”), from gaudēre (“to be glad, rejoice”). Doublet of jo and gaudy (“Oxford college reunion”). Displaced native Old English ġefēa. The interjection is from the noun. The verb is from Middle English joyen, joȝen, joien, from Old French jöir, from the Old French noun (see above).
Etymology 2
From the noun joy, first used by Puritans in the 17th century.