Definition of JOY

joy

Plural: joys

Noun

  • the emotion of great happiness
  • something or someone that provides a source of happiness
    • "a joy to behold"
  • A feeling of extreme happiness or cheerfulness, especially related to the acquisition or expectation of something good.
  • Anything that causes such a feeling.
  • Luck or success; a positive outcome.
  • The sign or exhibition of joy; gaiety; merriment; festivity.

Verb

Verb Forms: joyed, joying, joys

  • To feel or express great happiness; to rejoice.
  • feel happiness or joy
  • make glad or happy
  • To feel joy, to rejoice.
  • To enjoy.
  • To give joy to; to congratulate.
  • To gladden; to make joyful; to exhilarate.

Intj

  • Expressing appreciation and happiness.

Examples

  • a child's joy on Christmas morning
  • He would JOY at every bingo, celebrating his linguistic prowess in Scrabble.
  • It is his joy to walk in the rain.
  • the joys and demands of parenthood

Origin / Etymology

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).

Scrabble Score: 13

joy: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
joy: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
joy: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

joy: valid Words With Friends Word