Joyful
What it means
Feeling, showing, or creating unmistakable happiness.
Reach for it when describing a person, expression, event, or atmosphere filled with happiness
Her joyful welcome made the nervous exchange students relax.
Words to choose between 8
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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playful
Fits when lively amusement or triumph is part of the mood
Careful Gleeful can sound mischievous or pleased at another person's expense.
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everyday
Fits when a person's steady manner is sunny and encouraging
Careful Cheerful can describe temperament without the strong feeling implied by joyful.
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everyday
Fits when you need the most natural all-purpose choice
Careful Happy is less expressive when the happiness is abundant or openly shared.
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warm
Fits when someone is responding happily to particular news or a gift
Careful Delighted needs a cause and fits poorly as a general personality trait.
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professional
Fits when optimistic energy helps someone recover or encourage a team
Careful Buoyant suggests resilience and lightness rather than heartfelt happiness.
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formal
Fits when decorations or an occasion create a celebratory mood
Careful Festive describes the setting better than a person's inner emotion.
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formal
Fits when victory or long-awaited success prompts public celebration
Careful Jubilant is excessive for a calm reunion or an ordinary good day.
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literary
Fits when happiness is visible in a face or presence
Careful Radiant shifts attention to how someone appears, not necessarily what they feel.
Opposites 3
- sad
- gloomy
- mournful
Common phrases 3
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joyful occasion
The adoption became a joyful occasion for both families.
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joyful smile
A joyful smile crossed his face when the curtain rose.
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joyful reunion
Their joyful reunion filled the station with laughter.
Word family 2
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Neskaya, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated