Joy
Joy is a positive emotion characterized by feelings of great pleasure, delight, or elation. It often arises in response to favorable events, meaningful relationships, or experiences that are deeply satisfying. In common usage, joy can be intense and immediate, but it may also be sustained through gratitude, appreciation, or a sense of meaning. It is commonly distinguished from general happiness by its immediacy and intensity, though both involve positive affect.
Etymology traces the word to Old French joie, from Latin gaudium and gaudere, meaning to rejoice. In
In psychology, joy is treated as a discrete positive emotion within theories of affect and emotion. It
Culturally and religiously, joy is a common motif across arts, rituals, and liturgy. In Christianity, joy is
Overall, joy is a central aspect of human emotional life, contributing to well-being, connection, and cultural