joy
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.a feeling of great happiness or pleasure.
n.a state of intense happiness or delight, often associated with a specific event or achievement.
Simple“The children's faces were full of joy when they saw the snow.”
In context“The team's unexpected victory brought a sense of pure joy to the local community after years of disappointment.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
n.a person or thing that makes you feel very happy.
n.a person, object, or event that serves as a source of great pleasure or satisfaction.
Simple“Her garden is her pride and joy.”
In context“The new library has been a joy to the neighbourhood, providing a quiet space for students and retirees alike.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.success or luck in doing something, often used in the negative.
n.success, satisfaction, or a positive result; frequently used in negative constructions or questions regarding progress.
Simple“I tried to fix the computer myself but I had no joy.”
In context“The investigators spent months chasing the lead but ultimately had no joy in locating the missing documents.”
UsageCommonly used in the phrase 'get any joy' or 'have no joy'.
- 04 C2 Proficiency
v.to feel or show great happiness.
v.to experience or express great delight; to rejoice.
Simple“The people joyed in the return of peace to their land.”
In context“The poet describes a soul that joys in the simple beauty of the natural world, far from the noise of the city.”
Teacher's tipThis verb form is rare in modern speech; students should use 'rejoice' or 'be happy' instead.
“Watford’s Amin Nabizada jumps for joy after scoring their second goal against Southampton.”
“Forced into the company of walkers, Roland comes to realise the importance of community and the joy of pooches.”
From the noun joy, first used by Puritans in the 17th century.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.