joy
/d͡ʒɔɪ/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.55 in modern English
13
Scrabble Score
3
Letters
1
Syllables
3
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A feeling of extreme happiness or cheerfulness, especially related to the acquisition or expectation of something good.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "a child's joy on Christmas morning"
- "It is his joy to walk in the rain."
- "[…]purſued his vnneighbourly purpoſe in ſuch ſort: that hee being the ſtronger perſwader, and ſhe (belike) too credulous in beleeuing or elſe ouer-feeble in reſiſting, from priuate imparlance, they fell to action; and continued their cloſe fight a long while together, vnſeene and vvithout ſuſpition, no doubt to their equall ioy and contentment."
- "It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant. The young priests who lived here wore cassocks and birettas; their faces were fine and mild, yet really strong, like the rector's face; and in their intercourse with him and his wife they seemed to be brothers."
- "the joys and demands of parenthood"
- "For, ye are our glory and ioy."
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).
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /d͡ʒɔɪ/
- British English: /d͡ʒɔɪ/