Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 Joyous /joi'-əs/ · Joy·ous · IPA /ˈd͡ʒɔɪəs/ 01 a. Glad; gay; merry; joyful; also, affording or inspiring joy; with of before the word or words expressing the cause of joy. 1. Glad; gay; merry; joyful; also, affording or inspiring joy; with of before the word or words expressing the cause of joy. “Is this your joyous city?” — Is. xxiii. 7. “They all as glad as birds of joyous prime.” — Spenser. “And joyous of our conquest early won.” — Dryden. Syn. Merry; lively; blithe; gleeful; gay; glad; mirthful; sportive; festive; joyful; happy; blissful; charming; delightful.