JOYFUL

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does joyful mean? 

• JOYFUL (adjective)
  The adjective JOYFUL has 2 senses:

1. full of or producing joy

2. full of high-spirited delight

  Familiarity information: JOYFUL used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• JOYFUL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Full of or producing joy

Context example:

a joyful occasion

Similar:

beatific (experiencing or bestowing celestial joy)

overjoyed (extremely joyful)

Also:

happy (enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure)

joyous (full of or characterized by joy)

Antonym:

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

Derivation:

joyfulness (the emotion of great happiness)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Full of high-spirited delight

Synonyms:

elated; gleeful; joyful; jubilant

Context example:

a joyful heart

Similar:

joyous (full of or characterized by joy)

Derivation:

joyfulness (the emotion of great happiness)

 Context examples 

He consents without a murmur, all join in a joyful chorus, and the curtain falls upon the lovers kneeling to receive Don Pedro's blessing in attitudes of the most romantic grace.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

I cannot say that the position of mate carried with it anything more joyful than that there were no more dishes to wash.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The netting-box, just leisurely drawn forth, was closed with joyful haste, and she was ready to attend him in a moment.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

“A joyful hour indeed, old friend!” cried I.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Sir William and Lady Lucas were speedily applied to for their consent; and it was bestowed with a most joyful alacrity.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

The first weekend of the month should work out to be a memorable, joyful weekend.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

His situation indeed was more than commonly joyful.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Two days of joyful security were immediately followed by the over-throw of every thing.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

He was alive to every new scene, joyful when he saw the beauties of the setting sun, and more happy when he beheld it rise and recommence a new day.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

By the black rood! it is a good piece of yew, well nocked, well strung, well waxed, and very joyful to the feel.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)