brimming with joy

USAGE SUMMARY

"brimming with joy" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it any time you want to describe a person as overflowing with happiness and/or positivity. For example, "The children's faces were brimming with joy as they awaited their gifts on Christmas morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Afterwards she was brimming with joy at putting in the performance of her life.

The Guardian - Sport

Here, I am constantly brimming with joy and fulfillment and fear and excitement and hope and loss and growth.

Princeton University

Yet despite his heart "brimming with joy", the doctor is human enough to retain just a little tinge of doubt.

The Guardian - Books

The gripping true story of an American Muslim who endured inhumane mistreatment after staying in New Orleans to help hurricane Katrina's victims, Dave Eggers's Zeitoun (Hamish Hamilton) might not sound like an upbeat poolside read but it had me brimming with joy and crying angry tears.

The Guardian - Books

To all appearances, they were brimming with joy as they spoke to reporters on the red carpet.

Huffington Post

If you're fed-up with a deal that always seemed a little too good to be true, why not take your money and invest in something that's guaranteed to leave you brimming with joy and carbohydrates?

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

For the space of a paragraph, James brims with joy.

The New Yorker

Atwood's new graphic-novel stories brim with joy.

The Washington Post

Her mother brims with joy on hearing the news and is overwhelmed with tenderness.

The New Yorker

The cashier recognizes a regular in line behind me, an older woman who brims with joy as she speaks.

The New York Times

She's incredible, and to watch her develop the same way my first daughter did fills me up to the brim with joy and love.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and choose synonyms like "radiant with happiness" or "exuberant with joy" to subtly alter the nuance and emphasis of the expression.

Common error

While effective in many situations, "brimming with joy" can sound overly enthusiastic in formal or professional writing. Opt for a more restrained expression like "filled with satisfaction" or "pleased with" when a more professional tone is needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brimming with joy" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, typically describing a person or thing. It indicates a state of being full of joy. As supported by Ludwig, it's considered a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

21%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brimming with joy" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express a strong feeling of happiness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's considered correct for use in written English. While versatile, it may be too informal for certain professional settings. Alternatives like "filled with happiness" or "radiant with happiness" can provide nuanced variations, with sources like The Guardian and The New York Times frequently employing the phrase. The frequency analysis suggests this phrase is most often found in news and media and academic contexts, demonstrating its wide appeal and applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

filled with happiness

Replaces "joy" with "happiness", a more general term for positive emotion.

overflowing with delight

Substitutes "brimming" with "overflowing" for heightened emphasis and "joy" with "delight" for a slightly more refined sense of pleasure.

radiant with happiness

Uses "radiant" to describe an outward expression of happiness, shifting the focus to visible joy.

beaming with pleasure

Employs "beaming" to visually depict joy, emphasizing a bright and cheerful demeanor.

exuberant with joy

Replaces with "exuberant", indicating a more energetic and enthusiastic form of joy.

thrilled with happiness

Uses "thrilled", suggesting a sudden and intense burst of happiness.

overjoyed

A single-word adjective replacing the entire phrase for conciseness.

elated with joy

Employs "elated", suggesting a heightened sense of joy and triumph.

in a state of bliss

Replaces the original phrase with a more abstract description of ultimate happiness.

on cloud nine

An idiomatic expression that conveys a state of extreme happiness and contentment.

FAQs

How can I use "brimming with joy" in a sentence?

You can use "brimming with joy" to describe a person or thing that is full of happiness. For example, "The children were "brimming with joy" as they opened their presents."

What are some synonyms for "brimming with joy"?

Alternatives to "brimming with joy" include "filled with happiness", "overflowing with delight", or "radiant with happiness". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "brimming with joy" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "brimming with joy" might sound too informal or enthusiastic for some formal contexts. Consider using more restrained alternatives like "filled with satisfaction" or "pleased with" in professional settings.

What's the difference between "brimming with joy" and "filled with joy"?

"Brimming with joy" suggests an overflowing, almost palpable sense of happiness, whereas "filled with joy" simply indicates a state of being full of joy. "Brimming" implies a greater intensity than "filled".