wave of joy

USAGE SUMMARY

"wave of joy" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a feeling of intense happiness or pleasure that seems to come in a sudden, strong surge, like a wave. Example: "As the couple exchanged their vows, a wave of joy swept over the crowd, causing everyone to smile and shed tears of happiness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Last year, Oxford Dictionaries announced that its word of the year was an emoji – specifically, the "Face with Tears of Joy" emoji, a symbol that could represent a fit of laughter or a wave of joy.

Huffington Post

It was just a wave of joy, and I told Ann: 'I will.

The New York Times - Magazine

A wave of joy can make it difficult to sit still.

The New Yorker

Mr. Engel paused and grinned as a wave of joy rose up from Tahrir Square below him.

The New York Times

The two grandmothers talked to each other in a joint radio interview after the DNA results were announced, as a wave of joy swept across the nation.

The Guardian

All centaurs are made this way, he told me, feeling every germination, animal, human, or vegetable, as a wave of joy running through their veins.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

She taps into the universal theme of rocky family relationships, navigating the waves of joy and despair, when you pine for the past while searching for a future.

The Economist

Mr. Tamimi, 26, said he was one of those who welcomed the toppling of Saddam Hussein and greeted the advancing British soldiers not with guns but waves of joy.

The New York Times

Then, when…the turmoil of memories is stilled in my heart, ceaseless waves of joy are sent to me by inner thoughts…suddenly arising to delight my heart".As Mrs Brown has noted, people at this time came to realise that "the very absence of the human voice could render…communication all the richer" by giving the reader extra time and space to absorb the text and its many layers of meaning.

The Economist

His every gesture sent waves of joy through my body.

Vice

Pools of sorrow waves of joy Are drifting through my open mind Possessing and caressing me.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wave of joy" to describe a sudden, overwhelming feeling of happiness. This imagery is particularly effective when describing reactions to positive news, personal achievements, or heartwarming events.

Common error

Avoid using "wave of joy" to describe simple, everyday happiness. This phrase implies a strong, almost overwhelming emotion, so reserve it for situations where the joy is truly intense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wave of joy" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It vividly depicts an intense and sudden experience of happiness, similar to how Ludwig AI describes it. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in describing reactions to positive events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wave of joy" is a noun phrase that effectively conveys a sudden and intense feeling of happiness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage, supported by numerous examples from diverse sources like The New York Times and Huffington Post. The phrase functions to express strong positive emotions, finding its place in neutral to slightly informal contexts, predominantly in news and media. While versatile, it's best reserved for describing truly overwhelming joy, distinguishing it from milder happiness. Alternatives like "surge of happiness" or "burst of delight" offer nuanced variations for more precise expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surge of happiness

Changes the metaphor from a "wave" to a "surge", emphasizing the sudden and powerful nature of the feeling.

burst of delight

Replaces "joy" with "delight" and "wave" with "burst", suggesting a more explosive, immediate experience.

moment of elation

Focuses on a specific "moment" rather than a continuous "wave", highlighting the peak of happiness.

feeling of euphoria

Uses "euphoria" to denote an intense state of happiness, differing from the more general "joy".

thrill of excitement

Shifts the emphasis to the excitement aspect of joy, suggesting anticipation and heightened energy.

rush of pleasure

Emphasizes the physical sensation of pleasure accompanying the emotion.

outpouring of happiness

Changes the imagery to an "outpouring", suggesting an abundance and release of happiness.

flood of contentment

Uses "contentment" to represent a more peaceful and satisfied form of joy.

sense of bliss

Replaces the dynamic "wave" with a static "sense", focusing on the internal feeling of perfect happiness.

peak of jubilation

Highlights the highest point of joyful celebration, suggesting a public or communal expression of joy.

FAQs

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

You can use "wave of joy" to describe a sudden, powerful feeling of happiness, as in, "A "wave of joy" washed over her when she heard the news".

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

You can use alternatives like "surge of happiness", "burst of delight", or "moment of elation" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "wave of joy" in formal writing?

Yes, "wave of joy" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when describing emotional responses in a narrative or descriptive context. However, consider the specific tone of your writing and whether a more understated phrase might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "wave of joy" and "feeling of euphoria"?

"Wave of joy" typically describes a more immediate and transient experience of happiness, while "feeling of euphoria" suggests a more prolonged and intense state of bliss.