English · Emotions & Feelings
joy
/dʒɔɪ/
[/dʒɔɪ/]
great happiness
Beginnernoun
Definition
A feeling of great happiness and delight.
Example
Pure joy spread across her face as she opened the letter announcing her acceptance.
Pure joy spread across her face as she opened the letter announcing her acceptance.
Etymology
From Old French 'joie', from Latin 'gaudia' (rejoicings).
How & Where It’s Used
A poetic and everyday word for intense happiness.
Literary Heritage
'Ode to Joy' is the famous theme of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.