joy

JOY/d͡ʒɔɪ/

Pluraljoys (some meanings)

9 meanings of joy

1
great happinessnoununcountable
A strong feeling of happiness, often when something good happens or is on the way.
Like the warm, light feeling you get on your birthday morning.
The children felt pure joy when they saw the snow.
Her heart filled with joy at the good news.
UsageSay jump for joy or tears of joy.
Similarhappiness, delight, glee, elation, cheerfulness
Oppositeunhappiness, joylessness
2
delightful thingnouncountable
Something that makes you feel very happy.
Like a favorite song that always makes you smile.
That little puppy is a joy to the whole family.
Reading before bed is a quiet joy for him.
UsageSay she is a joy to be with.
Similardelight, pleasure, blessing, treasure
Note
3
interjectionsarcastic
Said to show you are happy. Today it is usually said in a joking way to show you are not happy.
'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!'
1842, Nathaniel Hawthorne, “The Lily’s Quest”Here, joy is said to show happiness and thanks.
UsagePeople say Oh, joy when they are not happy at all.
Similarhurray, yay, hooray, yes, woohoo
Oppositealas
Note

Less common meanings

4
successnouncolloquialUKuncountable
Luck or a good result, often when trying to get or do something.
Like fishing all day and finally catching something.
I tried to fix it all day but had no joy.
Did you have any joy finding your keys?
UsageSay no joy for no luck: we looked but had no joy.
Similarluck, success
5
feel gladverbliteraryintransitive
To feel great happiness about something.
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?
1829, Walter Scott, Anne of Geierstein
Similarrejoice, exult, delight, glory
Oppositegrieve, mourn, lament
Note
6
nounobsoleteuncountable
An outward show of happiness, like celebration and merrymaking.
The roofs with joy resound.
1717, John Dryden [et al.], Ovid’s Metamorphoses in Fifteen BooksHere, joy means a happy celebration, an outward show of gladness.
Such ioy made Vna, when her knight she found;
1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie QueeneHere, joy means an outward show of happiness, like celebrating.
Similarjollity
Note
7
verbarchaictransitive
To enjoy something, or take pleasure in it.
I haue my wish, in that I ioy thy sight,
1594, Christopher Marlow[e], The Troublesome Raigne and Lamentable Death of Edward the SecondHere, joy means to enjoy or take pleasure in something.
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:
1667, John Milton, Paradise Lost
Note
8
verbobsoletetransitive
To make someone feel happy and full of life.
Yet neither pleasure’s art can joy my spirits, Nor yet the other’s distance comfort me.
c. 1607, William Shakespeare, [George Wilkins?]Here, joy means to make someone feel happy and glad.
Note
9
verbobsoletetransitive
To congratulate someone, by telling them you are pleased about something good that has happened to them.
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.
1709, Mat[thew] Prior, Poems on Several OccasionsHere, joy means to congratulate someone or give them happiness.
Note

Practice

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Origin

The word 'joy' came into English from Old French 'joie', which goes back to Latin 'gaudium' meaning 'joy', from a verb meaning 'to be glad'.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 4 facts

English 'joy' was borrowed from Old French 'joie'. en.wiktionary.org
Old French 'joie' ultimately derives from Latin 'gaudium'. en.wiktionary.org
Latin 'gaudium' means 'joy'. en.wiktionary.org
Latin 'gaudium' derives from a verb meaning 'to be glad'. en.wiktionary.org