tears of joy

USAGE SUMMARY

"tears of joy" is a valid and usable expression in written English.
It can be used to express overwhelming emotions, particularly joy, such as in the following example, "When he saw his daughter graduating, he shed tears of joy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I cried tears of joy".

The New Yorker

Tears of joy, pride, awe.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'd prefer tears of joy".

The New York Times - Sports

Schottenheimer, too, cried tears of joy Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

Tears of joy burned on my cheeks.

The New Yorker

On Sunday, he cried tears of joy.

The New York Times - Sports

Johnson shed tears of joy.

The Guardian - Sport

"They're tears of joy," she told him.

University of California, Berkeley

Others ululated, weeping tears of joy.

The Guardian

But they were tears of joy.

The New York Times

Cue tears of joy from Clijsters.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a moment of intense happiness or relief, use "tears of joy" to effectively convey the depth of emotion experienced by the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "tears of joy" when the context suggests sadness or grief. While tears can express a range of emotions, "tears of joy" specifically denote happiness and overwhelming positive feelings. Ensure the situation aligns with the intended emotion to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tears of joy" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as an object or complement in a sentence. It describes a specific type of emotional expression. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is valid and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tears of joy" is a noun phrase widely recognized and accepted in English to express crying due to happiness, relief, or gratitude. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and usable in written English. Its frequent appearance in news and media, as well as academic sources, demonstrates its versatility and broad understanding. When using the phrase, ensure the context aligns with the positive emotion to avoid misinterpretation. While synonyms like "tears of happiness" or "tears of delight" exist, "tears of joy" remains a potent and commonly used expression to capture moments of profound emotional release.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tears of happiness

Emphasizes the feeling of happiness as the reason for the tears, highlighting the emotional state.

tears of delight

Conveys a strong sense of pleasure and joy, indicating a more intense positive emotion.

tears of elation

Refers to an extremely happy and excited state, suggesting a higher level of emotional intensity.

tears of bliss

Highlights a state of perfect happiness, implying a more profound and serene joy.

cries of joy

Focuses on the audible expression of happiness, rather than just the visual aspect of tears.

weeping with joy

Emphasizes the act of crying as a direct response to feeling joy, highlighting the physical manifestation of the emotion.

sobbing with happiness

Indicates a more intense and unrestrained expression of joy, suggesting a deep emotional release.

overjoyed

Expresses the feeling of extreme happiness that can lead to tears of joy, focusing on the emotion itself.

thrilled to tears

Implies a feeling of extreme excitement and happiness that results in crying, suggesting a strong emotional response.

moved to tears of joy

Highlights the external stimulus causing the emotional response, emphasizing the triggering event.

FAQs

What does "tears of joy" mean?

"Tears of joy" refers to the act of crying as a result of overwhelming happiness, relief, or gratitude. It signifies a powerful positive emotional experience.

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

You can use "tears of joy" to describe someone's emotional reaction to a positive event. For example, "She shed "tears of joy" when she heard the news".

What are some synonyms for "tears of joy"?

Synonyms include "tears of happiness", "tears of delight", and "tears of elation". The best choice depends on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "tears of joy"?

Yes, "tears of joy" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English to describe crying from happiness.