Join Us On

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

Spanish Central

Browse Dictionary Browse Thesaurus

Get our free apps!iPhone•iPad•Android

Word of the Day

Blog: Words at Play

Dictionary

joyous

adjective joy·ous \ˈjȯi-əs\

: feeling, causing, or showing great happiness

Full Definition of JOYOUS

: joyful

— joy·ous·ly adverb

— joy·ous·ness noun

See joyous defined for English-language learners

See joyous defined for kids

ADVERTISEMENT

First Known Use of JOYOUS

14th century

Related to JOYOUS

Synonyms: blissful, chuffed [British], delighted, gratified, happy, joyful, glad, pleased, satisfied, thankful, tickled

Antonyms: displeased, dissatisfied, joyless, sad, unhappy, unpleased, unsatisfied

JOYOUSNESS Defined for Kids

joyous

adjective joy·ous \ˈjȯi-əs\

Definition of JOYOUS for Kids

: joyful <The baby's birth was a joyous occasion.>

— joy·ous·ly adverb

— joy·ous·ness noun

Learn More About JOYOUS

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "joyous"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "joyous"

Nglish: Translation of "joyous" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "joyous" for Arabic speakers

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: joypadPrevious Word in the Dictionary: joy–juiceAll Words Near: joyous

ADVERTISEMENT

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up joyous? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site

Test Your Vocabulary!

10 Charming Words for Nasty People

Put-downs with flair

When "Literally" isn't, well, literal

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Know what this is?

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears

Join Us

Merriam-Webster
on Facebook

Merriam-Webster
on Twitter

Bookstore: Digital and Print

Merriam-Webster references for Mobile, Kindle, print, and more.

See All

Other Merriam-Webster Dictionaries

© Merriam-Webster, Incorporated