Delight vs Joy

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

	Delight	Joy
Meaning	A feeling of great pleasure and happiness.	A feeling of great happiness.
CEFR level	B2	B2
Part of speech	noun	noun
Usage notes	Use 'delight' to describe something that brings joy, often in neutral or positive contexts. It's less common in formal writing, where 'pleasure' might be preferred. Avoid using it in negative contexts.	Use 'joy' in both spoken and written contexts. It's suitable for formal occasions as well as casual conversations. Avoid using it in contexts that require a more restrained emotion.

Frequently asked questions: Delight vs Joy

What's the difference between "Delight" and "Joy"?

"Delight" means: A feeling of great pleasure and happiness. "Joy" means: A feeling of great happiness.

When should I use "Delight" and "Joy"?

They can all be used in everyday English.

Are "Delight" and "Joy" the same CEFR level?

"Delight" is at B2, "Joy" is at B2 on the CEFR scale.