JOY


Meaning of JOY in English

I. ˈjȯi noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French joie, from Latin gaudia, plural of gaudium, from gaudēre to rejoice; probably akin to Greek gēthein to rejoice

Date: 13th century

1.

a. : the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires : delight

b. : the expression or exhibition of such emotion : gaiety

2. : a state of happiness or felicity : bliss

3. : a source or cause of delight

• joy·less -ləs adjective

• joy·less·ly adverb

• joy·less·ness noun

II. verb

Date: 14th century

intransitive verb

: to experience great pleasure or delight : rejoice

transitive verb

1. archaic : gladden

2. archaic : enjoy

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.