joyful

adjective

joy·​ful ˈjȯi-fəl How to pronounce joyful (audio)
Synonyms of joyful
: experiencing, causing, or showing joy : happy
a joyful crowd
joyful faces
a joyful occasion
joyfully
ˈjȯi-fə-lē How to pronounce joyful (audio)
adverb
joyfulness noun

Synonyms of joyful

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Examples of joyful in a Sentence

We were joyful at the news. the news of the child's safe return made us all joyful
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.
The leaders who will build genuinely joyful, high-performing workplaces are the ones willing to look at the system first. — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Paul Sun-Hyung Lee plays the joyful, wise — but haunted by his dark past as a fire nation general —Iroh. — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026 Would society trend toward debilitating mass unemployment or the joyful end of work? — Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 29 June 2026 New York’s electorate is more progressive, and Mamdani, who has brought a joyful, dynamic energy to the city’s governance, has a unique clout. — Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for joyful

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of joyful was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Joycean
joyful
joyfully
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Joyful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/joyful. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

joyful

adjective
joy·​ful ˈjȯi-fəl How to pronounce joyful (audio)
: feeling, causing, or showing joy
a joyful family reunion
joyfully
-fə-lē How to pronounce joyful (audio)
adverb
joyfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on joyful

Nglish: Translation of joyful for Spanish Speakers

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