ball of joy

USAGE SUMMARY

"ball of joy" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to describe someone or something that exudes happiness and brings joy to others. Example: Seeing the children playing and laughing in the park filled my heart with warmth. They were like a ball of joy, chasing each other and enjoying the sunny day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

She was a big ball of joy".

The New York Times

And the face -- a tight ball of joy.

The New York Times - Books

She saw the big ball of joy in life.

The New York Times

"She's just a ball of joy all the time," Mr. Kiev said.

The New York Times

Unequivocally cause for a bowling ball of joy rolling into the archives is that Inside Out is now over the $700m threshold and displaying unquenchable longevity: its holds are consistently strong almost everywhere, of the like you rarely see from popcorn fodder.

The Guardian - Film

A magical ball of joy?

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The falafels are delicious spiced balls of joy.

Los Angeles Times

Sunday night headliners the Village People were a ball of pure joy.

The Guardian - Music

I'm worried about Lewis because I want to remember him the way I do right now, as a ball of insane joy.

Vice

They will read the actual worth of the side in a concluding goal that sliced Switzerland with pass after pass before David Beckham released Gary Neville and Steven Gerrard, who had worked inexhaustibly for his moment of joy, smashed the ball home via the body of the goalkeeper Jörg Stiel.

The Guardian - Sport

The child Krishna (Balakrishna) is depicted crawling on his hands and knees or dancing with joy, a ball of butter held in his hands.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ball of joy" when you want to convey a sense of effervescence and radiating happiness from a person, animal, or event.

Common error

While "ball of joy" is acceptable in many situations, it might sound too informal or sentimental in highly professional or academic writing. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "source of happiness" or "positive influence" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ball of joy" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as a metaphorical description. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage for depicting individuals or entities that radiate happiness and positivity. It effectively serves as a subjective complement, enriching the description.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ball of joy" is a correct and usable noun phrase that describes something that exudes happiness. Ludwig AI underlines its common usage for portraying people or events that are cheerful. While grammatically sound, its informal and metaphorical nature suggests reserving it for contexts that aren't overly formal. For professional or academic contexts, synonyms like "source of happiness" or "positive influence" may be more apt. As detailed by examples from Ludwig, the phrase effectively captures an effervescent and contagious sense of joy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bundle of happiness

Emphasizes the concentrated nature of happiness.

source of delight

Focuses on the origin of joy rather than its embodiment.

ray of sunshine

Highlights the illuminating and positive effect on others.

a wellspring of joy

Highlights the abundant and never-ending nature of the joy being referenced.

fountain of joy

Suggests an overflowing and continuous source of joy.

epitome of happiness

Indicates the perfect example of happiness.

burst of elation

Emphasizes a sudden and intense feeling of joy.

pure happiness

Underlines the genuineness of the happiness.

sheer delight

Focuses on the intensity and unmixed nature of the joy.

unadulterated joy

Stresses the purity and completeness of the happiness experienced.

FAQs

What does it mean to describe someone as a "ball of joy"?

Describing someone as a "ball of joy" means they are full of happiness, enthusiasm, and positive energy, and they spread that joy to others.

What can I say instead of "ball of joy"?

You can use alternatives like "source of delight", "bundle of happiness", or "ray of sunshine" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "ball of joy" too informal for professional writing?

Yes, "ball of joy" may be too informal for professional or academic contexts. Opt for more neutral phrases like "source of happiness" or "positive influence" in those settings.

How can I effectively use "ball of joy" in a sentence?

Use "ball of joy" to emphasize someone's radiant happiness and positive impact. For example: "Her infectious laughter made her a true "ball of joy" to be around".