Etymology Map
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Joy

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a feeling of great pleasure

Where does the word "joy" come from? It comes from Latin gaudium, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
gaudium
Latin · ancient
"joy, delight"
from 'gaudere', to rejoice
2
Stage 2 of 3
joie
Old French · medieval
"joy"
the same root as 'enjoy' and 'jewel'
3
Stage 3 of 3
joy
English · 1200s
"gladness"
'joyride' dates from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Joy’s story begins in Latin: gaudium meant “joy, delight.” From 'gaudere', to rejoice. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as joie. The same root as 'enjoy' and 'jewel'. It reached English by 1200s as joy. 'joyride' dates from the 1900s. Today, joy means a feeling of great pleasure.