joy

plural joys

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

   a child's joy on Christmas morning

   3 more examples

   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.

   1620, Giovanni Bocaccio, translated by John Florio, The Decameron, Containing an Hundred Pleaſant Nouels: Wittily Diſcourſed, Betweene Seuen Honourable Ladies, and Three Noble Gentlemen, Isaac Iaggard, Nouell 8, The Eighth Day

   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.

   1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter X, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC

   Synonyms: elation, glee, blitheness, blithesomeness, cheerfulness, cheeriness, contentness, contentedness · Antonyms: infelicity, joylessness, unhappiness, unjoy, blueness, tristesse, mirthlessness, blues

2. countableuncountableAnything that causes such a feeling.

   the joys and demands of parenthood

   2 more examples

   For, ye are our glory and ioy.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Thessalonians 2:20

   A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

   1818, John Keats, “Book I”, in Endymion: A Poetic Romance, London: […] T[homas] Miller, […] for Taylor and Hessey, […], →OCLC, page 1

3. countableuncountableLuck 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.

   2012, Colin Owen, Colin's Shorts, volume 2, page 65

   1 more example

   '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. […]

   2012, Robert Stansbridge, Bia's Wedding, page 4

4. countableobsoleteuncountableThe sign or exhibition of joy; gaiety; merriment; festivity.

   The roofs with joy resound.

   1717, John Dryden [et al.], “(please specify |book=I to XV)”, in Ovid’s Metamorphoses in Fifteen Books. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC

   1 more example

   Such ioy made Vna, when her knight she found;

   1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book I, Canto III”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 32

1. datedoftensarcasticExpressing 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!'

   1842, Nathaniel Hawthorne, “The Lily’s Quest”, in Twice-Told Tales, volume II, Boston, Mass.: James Munroe and Company, →OCLC, page 306

   1 more example

   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."

   1983, Gregory Mcdonald, Fletch and the Man Who, New York, N.Y.: Warner Books, →ISBN, page 56

   Synonyms: hurrah, aah, alright, 'ave it, ay, ayy, awesome, aww yeah

present singular third person joys · participle present joying · participle past joyed · past joyed

1. intransitiveTo feel joy, to rejoice.

   1885, Richard Francis Burton (translator), The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Night 18, “Tale of the Portress,” p. 178, I swore readily enough to this and he joyed with exceeding joy and embraced me round the neck while love for him possessed my whole heart.

   2 more examples

   for oftymes or this oure lord shewed hym vnto good men and vnto good knyghtes in lykenes of an herte But I suppose from hens forth ye shalle see no more / and thenne they Ioyed moche / and dwelled ther alle that day / And vpon the morowe whan they had herde masse / they departed and commaunded the good man to god

   1485, Sir Thomas Malory, chapter IX, in Le Morte Darthur, book XVII

   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?

   1829, Walter Scott, chapter 8, in Anne of Geierstein, volume 3, Edinburgh: Cadell, page 222

2. archaictransitiveTo enjoy.

   I haue my wish, in that I ioy thy sight,

   1594, Christopher Marlow[e], The Troublesome Raigne and Lamentable Death of Edward the Second, King of England: […], London: […] [Eliot’s Court Press] for Henry Bell, […], published 1622, →OCLC, (please specify the page)

   2 more examples

   For from the time that Scudamour her bought, In perilous fight, she neuer ioyed day […].

   1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book IV, Canto I”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, page 5

   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:

   1667, John Milton, “(please specify the page number)”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC, lines 1164-1168

3. obsoletetransitiveTo give joy to; to congratulate.

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

   1700, [John] Dryden, “Palamon and Arcite: Or, The Knight’s Tale. In Three Books.”, in Fables Ancient and Modern; […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, book III, page 88

   1 more example

   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.

   1709, Mat[thew] Prior, “(please specify the chapter or poem)”, in Poems on Several Occasions, London: […] Jacob Tonson […], →OCLC, page 405

4. obsoletetransitiveTo gladden; to make joyful; to exhilarate.

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

   c. 1607–1608 (date written), William Shakespeare, [George Wilkins?], The Late, and Much Admired Play, Called Pericles, Prince of Tyre. […], London: […] [William White and Thomas Creede] for Henry Gosson, […], published 1609, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii]

1. 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!

   1789, William Blake, Infant Joy

   2 more examples

   She was named Muriel — after the rather peculiar name of John's mother. Her own mother would have it so; only wishing out of her full heart, happy one! that there should be a slight alteration made in the second name. Therefore the baby was called Muriel Joy — Muriel Joy Halifax.

   1857, Dinah Craik, John Halifax, Gentleman, Chapter XXI

   All the while, our baby Joyce was growing to be a very outgoing baby. ( - - - ) Given the joy we felt watching her grow and from our connection to the church, the name Joy seemed appropriate for our baby girl. Soon that's what we shortened it to, and what she is known by to this day.

   2009, Princess Kasune Zulu, Warrior Princess, IVP Books, →ISBN, page 80

2. A surname.