# joy

/ˈdʒɔɪ/ (US) · /dʒˈɔɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/joy
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. feeling of happiness

noun · CEFR A2

a feeling of great happiness or pleasure.

For teachers: a state of intense happiness or delight, often associated with a specific event or achievement.

- The children's faces were full of joy when they saw the snow.
- The team's unexpected victory brought a sense of pure joy to the local community after years of disappointment.

### 2. source of happiness

noun · CEFR B1

a person or thing that makes you feel very happy.

For teachers: a person, object, or event that serves as a source of great pleasure or satisfaction.

- Her garden is her pride and joy.
- The new library has been a joy to the neighbourhood, providing a quiet space for students and retirees alike.

### 3. success or luck

noun · CEFR B2 · British English · Informal

success or luck in doing something, often used in the negative.

For teachers: success, satisfaction, or a positive result; frequently used in negative constructions or questions regarding progress.

- I tried to fix the computer myself but I had no joy.
- The investigators spent months chasing the lead but ultimately had no joy in locating the missing documents.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'get any joy' or 'have no joy'.

### 4. to feel great happiness

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

to feel or show great happiness.

For teachers: to experience or express great delight; to rejoice.

- The people joyed in the return of peace to their land.
- The poet describes a soul that joys in the simple beauty of the natural world, far from the noise of the city.

Teaching tip: This verb form is rare in modern speech; students should use 'rejoice' or 'be happy' instead.

## Examples

- The children's faces were full of joy on Christmas morning.
- She felt a sudden surge of joy when she saw her old friend walking through the airport gates.
- The poet captures the fleeting nature of human joy, contrasting the brightness of a summer morning with the inevitable shadows of the coming evening.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.