joy
A strong feeling of happiness and delight.
Word facts
Definition
Joy is a strong feeling of happiness, delight, and well-being. It is deeper than ordinary pleasure and often arises from meaningful experiences, love, achievement, or beauty.
Usage: Joy implies a deeper, more intense feeling than happiness. Delight is often caused by something specific. Bliss suggests the highest level of happiness.
Example sentences
- 1
Her face lit up with joy when she saw her family waiting at the airport.
- 2
The children's laughter filled the room with joy.
- 3
Finding joy in small things can transform how you feel each day.
Word family
From Old French joie, from Latin gaudia, plural of gaudium ('delight, joy'). Related to 'enjoy' — to enter into joy.
Joy is in the middle of enjoy — en-JOY. To enjoy is to be in joy.
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FAQ
Questions people ask
What is the difference between joy and happiness?
Joy is typically deeper and more intense. Happiness is more general and can be caused by many small things. Joy often comes from meaningful events.
What is the adjective form of joy?
Joyful and joyous are both adjectives meaning full of joy. Joyful is more common in everyday use.