adj
Uncommon
joyous
JOY-uhs
Joyous (adj) means Full of joy; happy or delightful. Example: “The wedding was a joyous celebration for both families.”
adj
1
Full of joy; happy or delightful.
"The wedding was a joyous celebration for both families."
"They shared a joyous laugh over old memories."
How to use joyous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishVery close in meaning to joyful — full of happiness, often used for events and occasions.
Common mistake
Joyous and joyful are near-synonyms; joyous leans slightly more toward describing occasions and atmospheres rather than a person's mood.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more joyous
- Superlative
- most joyous
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The wedding was a _____ celebration for both families.
Etymology
From Old French joieus, itself from joie ("joy") plus the adjective suffix -eus.
Related words
Rhymes for joyous
See all rhymes for joyous →Frequently asked questions
What does “joyous” mean?
The word “joyous” means full of joy; happy or delightful. In plain terms, very close in meaning to joyful — full of happiness, often used for events and occasions.
How do you pronounce “joyous”?
“Joyous” is pronounced JOY-uhs (/ˈd͡ʒɔɪəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “joyous” in a sentence?
Here is “joyous” used in a sentence: “The wedding was a joyous celebration for both families.”
What part of speech is “joyous”?
“Joyous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “joyous” come from?
The word “joyous” comes from Old French. From Old French joieus, itself from joie ("joy") plus the adjective suffix -eus.
Is “joyous” a common word?
“Joyous” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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