I. ˈjȯi noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English joye, joy, from Old French joie, joye, from Latin gaudia, plural of gaudium joy, from gaudēre to rejoice; akin to Greek gēthein to rejoice, gauros proud, Middle Irish guāire noble, Tocharian B kāw- to desire, Lithuanian džiaugiuos I rejoice
1.
a. : the emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good : pleasurable feelings or emotions caused by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one loves or desires : gladness , delight
b. : an experience of such emotion : enjoyment
the joy of books — Van Wyck Brooks
c. : the sign or exhibition of joy : gaiety , jubilation , merriment
after the victory there was great joy in the town
d. — used interjectionally as an exclamation of delight especially in the phrase oh joy
2. : a state of happiness or felicity : bliss
3.
a. : a source or cause of joy
motherhood is a joy rather than a job — Kathleen H. Seib
found many joys in … rustic life — Ella E. Clark
this book … is a joy and an instruction — J.A.Michener
a joy to look at
b. : a small endearing or loved child
4. of a planet : astrological position in a house of agreeable quality or condition : an accidental dignity
Synonyms: see pleasure
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English joyen, from Old French joir, jouir, from Latin gaudēre to rejoice
intransitive verb
: to experience or show pleasure or great delight : rejoice , exult
a happily married couple joying in a common ambition — Louise Mace
could joy in the purity of tone — W.M.Clark
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to make joyful or happy : delight , gladden
2. archaic : enjoy
3. obsolete
a. : to greet with joy or welcome with honor
b. : congratulate
4. obsolete : to rejoice at