spark of joy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spark of joy" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a feeling of happiness or excitement. You can use it in a variety of contexts, such as in a description of a moment or experience that brought you joy, or in a metaphorical sense to describe something that ignites a feeling of joy within you. Example: "As she walked through the gardens filled with colorful flowers, she felt a spark of joy in her heart, grateful for the beauty that surrounded her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

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

The New Yorker

And whatever I can do as a manager to give them that spark of joy back, I want to do.

Harvard Business Review

This land of missed opportunities, designed by people without a spark of joy in their hearts, reifies the idea that there is no such thing as society.

The Guardian - Opinion

And like anyone else, we succumb to evil, which I did yesterday, by feeling a tiny but immoral spark of joy when I heard that cybercrime is becoming a threat to superyachts and their increasingly boastful owners.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

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

What was even more valuable was that this little spark of joy reminded me why I was here in the first place.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

We're not after sparks of joy — we want to swim in wonder.

The Washington Post

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

Consign them all to the flames and breathe in those sparks of joy! Kondo may not have gone that far, but you wouldn't know it from the response on social media, where defenders of books have pushed back hard against Kondo and her shelf-tidying message.

The Washington Post

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "spark of joy" with vivid descriptions to enhance the reader's understanding of the emotion. For instance, 'a spark of joy ignited within her as she watched the sunset.'

Common error

Avoid using "spark of joy" excessively in formal or professional writing. While evocative, it can sound informal. Opt for more professional alternatives like "sense of fulfillment" or "moment of satisfaction".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spark of joy" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a particular feeling or sensation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spark of joy" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a moment or source of happiness, as verified by Ludwig. It is especially associated with Marie Kondo's KonMari method. Although "spark of joy" is most often found in news and media contexts, it is also present in formal and business settings. While generally neutral in tone, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in professional communications, such as "sense of fulfillment" or "moment of satisfaction". Related phrases include "burst of happiness" and "moment of delight".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sense of elation

Conveys a feeling of great happiness and triumph.

burst of happiness

Suggests a sudden and intense feeling of joy.

thrill of excitement

Highlights the exhilarating aspect of joy.

moment of delight

Focuses on a specific instance that brings pleasure.

wave of cheerfulness

Describes an overwhelming feeling of happiness.

fleeting joy

Emphasizes the transient nature of the happiness.

glow of contentment

Indicates a peaceful and satisfied form of happiness.

hint of pleasure

Implies a subtle or understated sense of joy.

infusion of delight

Implies that happiness is being instilled from an external source.

flicker of happiness

Suggests a brief or unstable sensation of happiness.

FAQs

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

You can use "spark of joy" to describe a sudden feeling of happiness or excitement. For example, "A "spark of joy" ignited within her when she saw the old photo."

What is a more formal way to express "spark of joy"?

In formal contexts, you might use phrases like "a sense of fulfillment", "a moment of satisfaction", or "a feeling of elation" instead of ""spark of joy"".

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

You can use alternatives like "burst of happiness", "moment of delight", or "fleeting joy" depending on the context.

Is "spark of joy" related to Marie Kondo's KonMari method?

Yes, the phrase ""spark of joy"" gained popularity through Marie Kondo's KonMari method, where it's used to describe the feeling one gets when deciding whether to keep or discard an item.