Joyous vs Joyful
What’s the difference between them?
Joyous
Meaning:
Feeling, expressing, or characterized by joy.
Examples:
1. Every Christmas morning, the family shared a joyous breakfast together.
2. The joyous celebration was filled with singing and dancing.
3. The bride and groom shared a joyous kiss at the end of the ceremony.
Joyful
Meaning:
full of joy; delighted; characterized by happiness and positivity.
Examples:
1. The little girl was so joyful when she saw her new puppy.
2. The joyful sound of laughter filled the room.
3. The joyful reunion of the long-lost friends was a sight to behold.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Joyous
1. Joyful
2. Delighted
3. Exultant
4. Jubilant
5. Ecstatic
1. Miserable
2. Gloomy
3. Disheartened
4. Dejected
5. Discouraged
Joyful
1. Gleeful
2. Exuberant
3. Enraptured
4. Delighted
5. Overjoyed
1. Miserable
2. Gloomy
3. Disheartened
4. Displeased
5. Discouraged
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Joyous", "Joyful".
1. Both words are correct.
2. You may use the words interchangeably without doubts.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When should the word 'joyous' be used?
Joyous should be used when describing a feeling of extreme happiness. It is usually used to describe a joyful event that is especially noteworthy, such as a wedding or a graduation.
When is the appropriate context for using the word 'joyful'?
Joyful can be used to describe any feeling of happiness or pleasure. It is typically used to refer to an emotion that is shared between two or more people, such as a joyful celebration.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, joyous is pronounced /ˈdʒɔɪ.əs/, while joyful is pronounced /ˈdʒɔɪ.fəl/.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One common mistake is using either word in a negative context. Both words describe happiness, so it is important to make sure the context is positive.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. We were all feeling ____________ after our team won the championship.
2. She looked so ____________ when she heard the news.
3. I was in a very ____________ mood after the party.
4. The children were so ____________ to have a snow day.
5. A ____________ celebration was held in the park.
6. She was filled with a ____________ feeling of accomplishment.
1. We were all feeling joyous after our team won the championship.
Explanation: Joyous is an adjective that means to be full of joy, happiness and delight. This is the perfect word to use here as the teams victory would have made them all feel a great sense of joy.
2. She looked so joyful when she heard the news.
Explanation: Joyful is an adjective meaning full of happiness and delight, which is what would be expected in this situation.
3. I was in a very joyous mood after the party.
Explanation: Joyous is an adjective that means to be full of joy, happiness and delight, which is what is expected to be felt after a party.
4. The children were so joyful to have a snow day.
Explanation: Joyful is an adjective meaning full of happiness and delight, which is likely how the children would feel about a snow day.
5. A joyous celebration was held in the park.
Explanation: Joyous is an adjective that means to be full of joy, happiness and delight, which is what would be expected in a celebration.
6. She was filled with a joyful feeling of accomplishment.
Explanation: Joyful is an adjective meaning full of happiness and delight, which is likely how someone would feel after achieving an accomplishment.
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.