joyful

adjective

joy·​ful ˈjȯi-fəl How to pronounce joyful (audio)
: experiencing, causing, or showing joy : happy
a joyful crowd
joyful faces
a joyful occasion
joyfully adverb
joyfulness noun

Examples of joyful in a Sentence

We were joyful at the news. the news of the child's safe return made us all joyful
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The hot priest advises Eddie to earn forgiveness and stop punishing himself and then suggests that Eddie do something joyful after his penance. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024 This early engagement with the season reflects the growing role of Christmas as an emotional anchor - an anticipated, joyful moment that punctuates the end of the year. Kate Hardcastle, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 The subsequent release gave the joyful impression of a beach umbrella snapping open. Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024 That's how Millgate ended up capturing Kade's joyful reaction to seeing a garbage truck. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for joyful 

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of joyful was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near joyful

Cite this Entry

“Joyful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/joyful. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

joyful

adjective
joy·​ful ˈjȯi-fəl How to pronounce joyful (audio)
: feeling, causing, or showing joy
a joyful family reunion
joyfully adverb
joyfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on joyful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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