joyous

adjective

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

Synonyms of joyous

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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.
Our teenage sons, in a moment of joyous regression, insisted on roasting marshmallows. — Dinaw Mengestu, Travel + Leisure, 28 July 2026 For Chicago White Sox rookie slugger Munetaka Murakami, Sunday was a celebration of the most joyous kind. — Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 26 July 2026 The joyous event is a tradition spanning over half a century. — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026 Somewhere in the heated mist hovered the howls of Albert Ayler and the clarion call of his brother Donald’s trumpet, followed by the Ornette Coleman Quartet, saluting him with joyous cacophony. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026 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

joyless
joyous
joyously
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Joyous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/joyous. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of joyous for Spanish Speakers

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