1
a
: a feeling of great happiness or pleasure : delight
Seeing you happy gives me such joy.
They were shouting/jumping for joy. [=they shouted/jumped because they were very happy]
b
: the expression or exhibition of such emotion
a gathering full of joy and laughter
2
: a state of great happiness : bliss
wishes of love, joy, and peace for all
3
: a source or cause of delight
The sun is the joy and the sorrow of the people. It destroys their crops while it warms them with the heat they could not live without.—Maia Wojciechowska
Discovering something new is one of the great joys of eating out.—Tim Fish
The old boat was his pride and joy.
The baby is a little bundle of joy.
joyed; joying; joys
shout for joy
3 of 3phrase
: to shout because one is very happy
Cite this Entry
“Joy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/joy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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