joyous

adjective

joy·​ous ˈjȯi-əs How to pronounce joyous (audio)
: joyful
a joyous occasion
a joyous celebration
joyously adverb
joyousness noun

Examples of joyous in a Sentence

a mood of joyous anticipation a joyous crowd eagerly awaiting the countdown to midnight on New Year's Eve
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.
While Gomez, 32, doesn't plan on converting to Judaism for her Jewish fiancé, the pair will incorporate a joyous Jewish tradition into their big day. Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025 Playing Toru, her romantic interest, is the affable Major Curda, who is everything Kisa is not — loose-limbed, playful and joyous. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025 Dwight Yoakam, the Nashville outsider, is releasing his first album of original material in nearly a decade, inspired by a joyous shift in his personal life. Marissa R. Moss, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025 Filmed in the New Forest, the largest remaining unenclosed common land in England, where the entanglement of non-human and human activity hides a joyous spell. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for joyous

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of joyous was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Joyous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/joyous. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

joyous

adjective
joy·​ous ˈjȯi-əs How to pronounce joyous (audio)
: feeling, causing, or showing joy : joyful
joyously adverb
joyousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on joyous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!