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Overjoyed Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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overjoyed

[ˌoʊvərˈdʒɔɪd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

Extremely happy or delighted

Synonyms

ecstatic, ecstatic, elated, thrilled.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
overjoyed

This word is best used when someone feels great happiness, often due to personal achievements, unexpected good news, or joyful family events.

  • She was overjoyed to see her best friend after a long time.
  • We were overjoyed when we heard the news about the birth of our baby.
ecstatic

This word conveys an intense and overwhelming feeling of happiness or excitement, often in response to something exceptionally good or thrilling.

  • He was ecstatic when his favorite team won the championship.
  • The crowd was ecstatic during the concert.
elated

This word is suitable when someone feels a high level of happiness and pride, often resulting from success or good fortune. It's slightly more formal than the others.

  • She felt elated after receiving the job offer.
  • He was elated by his excellent performance in the exams.
thrilled

This is used when someone feels very excited and pleased about something. It often indicates intense excitement about new or adventurous experiences.

  • I was thrilled to go on my first roller coaster ride.
  • She was thrilled to receive an invitation to the exclusive event.

Examples of usage

  • She was overjoyed to hear the good news.
  • He was overjoyed at the prospect of winning the award.
  • The overjoyed parents welcomed their newborn baby with tears of joy.
Context #2 | Adjective

feeling

Filled with great joy or happiness

Synonyms

blissful, delighted, happy, joyful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
overjoyed

Expresses a very high level of happiness, often used for special milestones or joyful surprises.

  • She was overjoyed when she found out she got the job
  • He was overjoyed to see his family after a long time
delighted

Indicates a strong feeling of pleasure or satisfaction, often used when reacting to good news or a pleasant event.

  • She was delighted to receive the award
  • The children were delighted by the magician's tricks
happy

A general term for a feeling of pleasure or contentment, suitable for a wide range of everyday situations.

  • He was happy to spend the day with his friends
  • She feels happy when she listens to music
joyful

Describes a feeling of great happiness, often used for more intense or profound moments of joy.

  • The joyful reunion of the family was heartwarming
  • The joyful sound of children playing filled the park
blissful

Describes a state of perfect happiness, often used to refer to peaceful moments or deep contentment.

  • They enjoyed a blissful vacation by the seaside
  • The couple looked blissful on their wedding day

Examples of usage

  • The overjoyed children ran outside to play in the snow.
  • I felt overjoyed when I saw my long-lost friend after many years.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Experiencing extreme happiness can trigger the brain to release a burst of chemicals like dopamine, creating feelings of pleasure.
  • Overjoyed can often lead to laughter, tears of joy, or even moments of disbelief, showcasing how emotions can manifest physically.
  • This heightened emotion is linked to positive reinforcement, where the brain associates certain events or experiences with overwhelming joy.

Pop Culture

  • The term 'overjoyed' appears in various songs and movies, capturing moments of peak emotional happiness, illustrating its cultural relevance.
  • Famous musical artists often express the feeling of being overjoyed in lyrics, creating relatable moments for listeners.
  • In literature, characters often experience overjoyed moments that lead to turning points in their stories, enhancing narrative impact.

Literature

  • In literary works, characters expressing being overjoyed often signify resolution or fulfillment in their story arcs, emphasizing emotional climax.
  • Classic poetry often highlights moments of joy, reflecting deeper themes of love, achievement, and personal growth.
  • Fictional narratives utilize the feeling of being overjoyed to create relatable moments, reinforcing the significance of happiness in human experiences.

Cultural Expressions

  • In many cultures, celebrations are rooted in expressing joy, often invoking feelings of being overjoyed during festivals and family gatherings.
  • Traditions like weddings and births are common scenarios where people commonly feel overjoyed, symbolizing new beginnings and love.
  • Art forms such as dance and music often depict moments of being overjoyed, using movement and sound to convey ecstatic emotions.

Origin of 'overjoyed'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from combining 'over,' meaning excessively, with 'joy,' which denotes happiness.
  • Originally used in the late 14th century, 'overjoyed' gained popularity through poetic expressions of extreme happiness.
  • 'Joy' itself has roots in Old French and Latin, reflecting deep historical connections to happiness.

The word 'overjoyed' originated from the combination of 'over' and 'joyed', with 'joyed' being the past participle of 'joy'. The term dates back to the late 16th century and has been used to express extreme happiness or delight ever since. Over the years, it has become a commonly used adjective to describe a state of overwhelming joy.

See also: enjoy, joy, joyful, joyfully, joyfulness, joylessly, joyous, rejoice, unjoyfully.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,856, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.