joy

joy · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A feeling of great pleasure and happiness.

  2. 2.

    A thing that causes happiness.

  3. 3.

    (British informal) Success or satisfaction in achieving something.

Forms

plural: joys

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    jump for joy — To be extremely happy
  • •
    bundle of joy — A newborn baby
  • •
    joy to the world — Expression of happiness, often associated with Christmas

Related words

Antonyms: grief, misery, sadness, sorrow
See also: happiness, joyful, joyous
Synonyms: bliss, delight, happiness, pleasure

Etymology

From Old French joie ("joy, pleasure"), from Latin gaudia (plural of gaudium "joy"), from gaudere ("to rejoice").