Word Direct Answers

What does "joy" mean?

Joy: Tears of true joy for his return. Shak. Joy is a delight of the mind, from the consideration of the present or assured approaching possession of a good. Locke.

Additional senses

  1. 2.That which causes joy or happiness. For ye are our glory and joy. 1 Thess. ii.
  2. 3.A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Keats.
  3. 4.The sign or exhibition of joy; gayety; mirth; merriment; festivity. Such joy made Una, when her knight she found. Spenser. The roofs with joy resound. Dryden. Note: Joy is used in composition, esp. with participles, to from many self-explaining compounds; as, joy-hells, joy-ringing, joy-inspiring, joy-resounding, etc.
  4. 5.To rejoice; to be glad; to delight; to exult. I will joy in the God of my salvation. Hab. iii.
  5. 6.In whose sight all things joy. Milton.
  6. 7.To give joy to; to congratulate. [Obs.] "Joy us of our conquest." Dryden. To joy the friend, or grapple with the foe. Prior.
  7. 8.To gladden; to make joyful; to exhilarate. [Obs.] Neither pleasure's art can joy my spirits. Shak.
  8. 9.To enjoy. [Obs.] See Enjoy. Who might have lived and joyed immortal bliss. Milton.

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