be overjoyed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be overjoyed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a feeling of great happiness or joy in various contexts, such as personal achievements or good news. Example: "When she received the acceptance letter from her dream university, she couldn't help but be overjoyed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The groups who most viciously opposed Bill 6 should be overjoyed right now.

Vice

They would be overjoyed.

The New York Times - Sports

If we could find life I would be overjoyed.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MOST people would be overjoyed to pocket $5.1 billion.

The Economist

But he would be overjoyed if he becomes a Knick.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm all for diplomacy, and would be overjoyed by a verifiable peace deal.

The New York Times

I was sure he would be overjoyed to recapture the images of his childhood and youth.

The New York Times - Magazine

Residents of the neighbourhood were said to be "overjoyed" by the truce.

Independent

The suits at Pearson will not be overjoyed at this, but they are playing hardball.

The Guardian - Books

Obviously Mercedes will be overjoyed, but Ferrari will also be thrilled at Vettel's debuted.

The Guardian - Sport

Now I'll be overjoyed when they walk all over the furniture.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be overjoyed" to convey a strong, positive emotional response to good news, achievements, or pleasant surprises. It's more emphatic than "be happy" but less intense than "be ecstatic".

Common error

Avoid using "be overjoyed" in contexts that call for a more subdued or neutral reaction. Opt for phrases like "be pleased" or "be satisfied" when the situation doesn't warrant extreme happiness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be overjoyed" functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of intense happiness or elation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used and considered grammatically correct. Examples show it's used to describe reactions to positive outcomes and joyful events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

10%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be overjoyed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase to express intense happiness or elation. As Ludwig AI verifies, it’s widely considered correct. While most commonly found in News & Media sources, it also appears in Academic and Wiki contexts, making it versatile across various communication styles. When choosing to use "be overjoyed", consider the context and the level of formality required, as overuse in neutral situations can be inappropriate. Alternative phrases such as "be thrilled" or "be delighted" can be used when a less emphatic expression of happiness is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be ecstatic

Implies an even more intense feeling of joy than "be overjoyed".

be thrilled

Suggests a strong feeling of excitement and pleasure.

be delighted

Conveys a sense of great pleasure and satisfaction.

be on cloud nine

An idiomatic expression indicating a state of extreme happiness.

be in seventh heaven

Another idiomatic expression similar to "be on cloud nine", suggesting perfect happiness.

rejoice greatly

A more formal and emphatic way to express being very happy.

be elated

Indicates a feeling of great happiness and triumph.

be jubilant

Expresses great joy, especially after a success.

be walking on air

An idiomatic way of saying someone is extremely happy.

be as happy as Larry

An informal idiom to indicate someone is very content.

FAQs

How can I use "be overjoyed" in a sentence?

The phrase "be overjoyed" is typically used to express a high degree of happiness or elation. For example: "They will "be overjoyed" when they hear the news" or "She will "be overjoyed" to see you".

What can I say instead of "be overjoyed"?

You can use alternatives like "be thrilled", "be delighted", or "be ecstatic", depending on the intensity of emotion you want to convey.

Is it better to say "be overjoyed" or "be very happy"?

"Be overjoyed" conveys a stronger sense of happiness than "be very happy". Use "be overjoyed" when you want to emphasize extreme elation, while "be very happy" is suitable for more general positive feelings.

When is it inappropriate to use "be overjoyed"?

Using "be overjoyed" might be inappropriate in formal or somber situations where a more restrained expression of happiness is expected. Also, avoid using it sarcastically, as it may not convey the intended meaning effectively.