joy

 
Pronunciation: /dʒɔɪ/

noun

[mass noun]
  • a feeling of great pleasure and happiness: tears of joy the joy of being alive
  • [count noun] a thing that causes joy: the joys of country living
  • [usually with negative] British informal success or satisfaction: you’ll get no joy out of her

verb

[no object] literary
  • rejoice: I felt shame that I had ever joyed in his discomfiture or pain

Phrases

be full of the joys of spring

be lively and cheerful.

wish someone joy

British, chiefly ironic congratulate someone: I wish you joy of your marriage

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French joie, based on Latin gaudium, from gaudere 'rejoice'