joyous

/ˈdʒɔɪəs/

/ˈdʒɔɪəs/

Someone or something joyous is characterized by joy: extreme, exuberant, deep happiness. If you won the lottery, you’d probably feel joyous.

Joyous is a strong word for the absolute best moments in life. Weddings and graduations are usually described as joyous occasions. You would feel joyous if you accomplished a lifelong goal, such as earning a gold medal in the Olympics. In other words, joyous goes beyond the simple feeling of happiness you might get from watching your favorite TV show or eating a delicious sandwich — unless of course it’s a really amazing sandwich.

Definitions of joyous

1. adjective

   full of or characterized by joy
   “felt a joyous abandon”

   “joyous laughter”

   synonyms:

   elated, giddy

   exultantly proud and joyful; in high spirits

   happy

   enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

   joyful

   full of or producing joy

   ecstatic, enraptured, rapt, rapturous, rhapsodic

   feeling great rapture or delight

   elated, gleeful, joyful, jubilant

   full of high-spirited delight

   festal, festive, gay, merry

   offering fun and gaiety

   gay, jocund, jolly, jovial, merry, mirthful

   full of or showing high-spirited merriment

   antonyms:

   joyless

   not experiencing or inspiring joy

   cheerless, depressing, uncheerful

   causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy

   unhappy

   experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent

   sorrowful

   experiencing or marked by or expressing sorrow especially that associated with irreparable loss

   funereal, sepulchral

   suited to or suggestive of a grave or burial

   mirthless

   lacking mirth

   unsmiling

   not smiling