joy

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A feeling of extreme happiness or cheerfulness, especially related to the acquisition or…

   A feeling of extreme happiness or cheerfulness, especially related to the acquisition or expectation of something good.

   • a child's joy on Christmas morning
   • It is his joy to walk in the rain.
2. 2

   Anything that causes such a feeling.

   • the joys and demands of parenthood
   • For, ye are our glory and ioy.
   • A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
3. 3

   Luck or success

   Luck or success; a positive outcome.

   • Grant had no joy with taking a nap, so he began to systematically feel if everything was working: fingers and toes, etc.
   • 'Rob? It's Gary. Are you having any joy with this trip to Bali?' 'No joy at all, mate. I reckon Bali's out for the foreseeable future. […]
4. ›+ 8 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      The sign or exhibition of joy

      The sign or exhibition of joy; gaiety; merriment; festivity.

      • Such ioy made Vna, when her knight she found;
      • The roofs with joy resound.
   2. 5

      Expressing appreciation and happiness.

      • '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!'
      • Hanrahan closed his mouth, tried unsuccessfully to breathe through his nose, then opened his mouth again. "Oh, joy," he muttered. "This kid doesn't even go to the bathroom, I bet. Probably been taught not to. It isn't nice."
   3. 6

      To feel joy, to rejoice.

      • 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?
   4. 7

      To enjoy.

      • I haue my wish, in that I ioy thy sight,
      • For from the time that Scudamour her bought, In perilous fight, she neuer ioyed day […].
      • 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:
   5. 8

      To give joy to

      To give joy to; to congratulate.

      • Then round our Death-bed ev'ry Friend ſhou'd run, / And joy us of our Conqueſt, early won: […]
      • 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.
   6. 9

      To gladden

      To gladden; to make joyful; to exhilarate.

      • Yet neither pleasure’s art can joy my spirits, Nor yet the other’s distance comfort me.
   7. 10

      A female given name from English.

      • "I have no name: / I am but two days old." / What shall I call thee? / "I happy am, / Joy is my name." / Sweet joy befall thee!
   8. 11

      A surname.

The neighborhood

• neighborMount Joy