joy

Everyday

1. A feeling of great happiness. tree →
2. A person or thing that makes you very happy. tree →
3. (UK, informal) Success or luck: «any joy finding your keys?». tree →

In the lessons

In lessons about feelings, joy is a strong, happy feeling: a new pet, a birthday, being with friends. In stories, characters jump or cry with joy. Phrases: «jump for joy», «cry with joy», «to my joy», «a joy to be with», «the joys of…», «pride and joy».

Examples

• She jumped for joy when she won. tree →
• The new puppy brought us so much joy. tree →
• It's a joy to read this book. tree →
• They cried with joy when Grandpa came home. tree →
• To our joy, it snowed on Christmas morning. tree →
• The baby is her parents' pride and joy. tree →
• «Any joy with the homework?» «No, it's still hard.» tree →
• The lion was full of joy. tree →

Note

Mostly uncountable (the feeling); countable for things that give it: «the joys of summer». Adjective: joyful. Stronger than «happiness».

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: In Sefer Yetzirah the letters of the Hebrew word for joy, oneg, can be rearranged into the word for plague, nega. This shows how closely good and bad can be tied together. In Psalms and Esther joy is the happy reward after sorrow, and a feeling shown in song and in festivals. In the primary lessons: In lessons about feelings, joy is a strong, happy feeling: a new pet, a birthday, being with friends. In stories, characters jump or cry with joy. Phrases: «jump for joy», «cry with joy», «to my joy», «a joy to be with», «the joys of…», «pride and joy».

Examples

• There is nothing better than joy, and nothing worse than sorrow or plague is. [19] (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →
• 19) The word ענג signifies joy, and when transposed, forming the word נגע it signifies just the contrary, trouble, plague. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →
• For an illustration may serve the three letters, ע נ ג There is nothing better than joy, and nothing worse than sorrow or plague. [2:5] But how was it done? (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →
• They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. (Writings PSA.126.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honour. (Writings EST.8.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• Sing unto Him a new song; play skilfully amid shouts of joy. (Writings PSA.33.3, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Mostly uncountable (the feeling); countable for things that give it: «the joys of summer». Adjective: joyful. Stronger than «happiness».