joy to behold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "joy to behold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is delightful or pleasing to see. Example: "The sunset over the mountains was a joy to behold, painting the sky in vibrant hues of orange and pink."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Both came into the team at roughly the same time and the energy and positivity in their play has been a joy to behold.

BBC

He is a joy to behold".

Independent

What a joy to behold.

The Guardian - Tech

It's been a joy to behold.

The Guardian - Sport

It is a joy to behold.

The New York Times - Arts

The manicured vineyards are a joy to behold.

Independent

Marcelo Bielsa's side are a joy to behold.

The Guardian - Sport

But its canny tactical struggle remains a joy to behold".

The Guardian - Film

The Knicks' offense is a joy to behold, as entertaining as it is potent.

The New York Times - Sports

No matter what their color, big, bouncy curls are a joy to behold at holiday time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sophie Okonedo's character, Jack, the solicitor assigned to Juliet's case, is a joy to behold.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "joy to behold" when you want to express that something is particularly delightful or impressive to see. It often implies a sense of awe or deep appreciation for the visual experience.

Common error

Avoid using "joy to behold" for everyday sights that don't evoke a significant emotional response. Reserve it for truly remarkable or beautiful scenes to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "joy to behold" functions as a descriptive expression, often acting as a subjective complement. It describes something's visual appeal or aesthetic quality, emphasizing the positive emotional response it evokes in the observer. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "joy to behold" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something visually pleasing or impressive. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. With a neutral to formal register, it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. When aiming for alternatives, consider "pleasure to witness" or "delight to see". Remember to reserve "joy to behold" for sights that truly evoke awe or significant appreciation to maximize its impact and avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pleasure to witness

Replaces "joy" with "pleasure" and "behold" with "witness", maintaining the sense of witnessing something delightful.

delight to see

Substitutes "joy" with "delight" and "behold" with "see", focusing on the visual aspect of the experience.

treat to the eyes

Uses a more figurative expression, describing something as a visual treat.

feast for the eyes

Similar to "treat to the eyes" but emphasizes the richness and abundance of the visual experience.

sight for sore eyes

Indicates that seeing something is a relief or comfort.

aesthetically pleasing

Focuses on the aesthetic quality of something, highlighting its beauty.

visually stunning

Emphasizes the striking and impressive visual impact of something.

wonder to observe

Focuses on wonderment about what is observed.

spectacle to see

Highlights the grand and impressive nature of the sight.

a beautiful sight

A simple and direct way to express that something is beautiful to look at.

FAQs

How can I use "joy to behold" in a sentence?

Use "joy to behold" to describe something visually impressive or delightful. For example: "The sunset over the ocean was a "joy to behold"", or "The artist's masterpiece was a "joy to behold"".

What are some alternatives to "joy to behold"?

You can use alternatives like "pleasure to witness", "delight to see", or "treat to the eyes" depending on the context.

Is "joy to behold" formal or informal?

"Joy to behold" is generally considered a somewhat formal expression, suitable for both writing and speech when describing something truly remarkable. However, the degree of formality also depends on the context, with more informal alternatives available if needed.

What makes something a "joy to behold"?

Something becomes a "joy to behold" when it possesses a quality that is extremely pleasing or impressive to look at. This could be due to its beauty, intricacy, grandeur, or any other characteristic that evokes a strong positive visual experience.