a spark of joy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a spark of joy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small feeling of happiness or excitement that something brings to you. Example: "Every time I see my favorite book, it brings a spark of joy to my day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Check in to see if you feel a spark of joy, or maybe something similar, like ease or lightness when you're with the person," she told HuffPost.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A reminder that people, even ones who run vile forums, and the regular gawkers online can feel a tiny spark of joy every now and again.

Vice

The spark of joy that fueled Hartman's imitations made for a good fit with the early years of the Clinton presidency.

Huffington Post

Robert still had a few suits from those days, suits he never wore, yet which retained their spark of joy.

The New Yorker

This is because the KonMari method involves chucking out between two thirds and three quarters of your possessions based on whether or not they are useful and/or bring you the aforementioned spark of joy.

Vice

You can feel, again, through the sadness, the sparks of joy in language: the delight of using a word like "surmount," the small thrill of that quiet, heart-stopping hesitation.

The New York Times - Books

Tiny sparks of joy and connection that sometimes you get the immediate hunch will last a lifetime.

TechCrunch

"I would also like to see the smiles back on the faces of all children and the sparks of joy in the eyes of all children".

Unicef

But behind host Marie Kondo's coos, giggles and subtle shade are some truly valuable lessons that are bound to spark a bit of joy in your life.

Huffington Post

Gutierrez provided an inviting cross to the far post where Sissoko rose highest to head low past keeper Adrian to spark an outpouring of joy and noise that could have been heard on the nearby Tyne Bridge.

BBC

Falkirk then held out for the three minutes of added time to spark scenes of joy among players and fans at the final whistle.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a spark of joy" to describe small, often unexpected, moments of happiness or pleasure in everyday life. It's particularly effective when highlighting the positive aspects of simple experiences.

Common error

While "a spark of joy" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional writing where a more neutral or objective tone is required. Consider using more formal alternatives like "a source of satisfaction" or "a positive element" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a spark of joy" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It serves to describe a feeling or sensation of happiness or pleasure. Ludwig shows this usage across various contexts, indicating its role in conveying emotional experiences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a spark of joy" is a phrase used to describe a small feeling of happiness or pleasure. Ludwig identifies it as grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. While not extremely frequent, it is commonly found in News & Media sources and occasionally in Formal & Business settings. Ludwig's analysis also suggests that while "a spark of joy" is mainly neutral, in formal situations more appropriate alternatives could be used, such as "a source of satisfaction".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a glimmer of happiness

Emphasizes a faint or fleeting sense of happiness, slightly less intense.

a flicker of delight

Highlights a brief and subtle feeling of pleasure.

a moment of pleasure

Focuses on the brevity and specific instance of enjoyment.

a touch of happiness

Suggests a mild and gentle feeling of happiness.

a hint of joy

Indicates a subtle and understated sense of joy.

a surge of elation

Describes a more intense and sudden burst of happiness.

a wave of contentment

Suggests a broader and calmer feeling of satisfaction.

a thrill of excitement

Emphasizes the exhilarating aspect of happiness.

a sense of lightness

Focuses on the feeling of ease and carefree happiness.

a breath of fresh air

Indicates a refreshing and invigorating feeling of joy.

FAQs

How can I use "a spark of joy" in a sentence?

You can use "a spark of joy" to describe a small moment of happiness. For example, "Seeing the sunrise gave me "a spark of joy"".

What are some synonyms for "a spark of joy"?

Some synonyms for "a spark of joy" include "a glimmer of happiness", "a flicker of delight", or "a moment of pleasure".

Is "a spark of joy" formal or informal?

"A spark of joy" is generally considered appropriate for both informal and neutral contexts. However, in more formal writing, consider alternatives like "a source of satisfaction".

What does it mean to say something "sparks joy"?

To say something "sparks joy" means it brings you happiness or pleasure. This phrase is popularized by Marie Kondo's KonMari method, where items are kept if they "spark joy" and discarded if they don't.