joyous

adjective

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

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.
Home care and self-focus wrestle as the Moon centers your home sector and energizes joyous Jupiter in your 1st House of Identity. Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026 I'mPhaedra Trethan, wishing a joyous Passover to all who celebrate! Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026 This joyous, cabaret-fueled romp through six decades of Asher’s musical history is a time-machine treat that’s impossible to resist. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026 Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, and Julie Walters featured among the stellar cast, and so joyous was the reception to the film that a sequel followed in 2018—Mamma Mia! Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 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

Cite this Entry

“Joyous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/joyous. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster