'joy' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'joie', ultimately from Latin 'gaudium' where the root meant 'joy, delight'; the suffix '-less' originates from Old English 'lēas' meaning 'free from' or 'without'.

'joy' changed from Old French word 'joie' and Middle English 'joye' and eventually became the modern English word 'joy'. The suffix '-less' comes from Old English 'lēas' and combined with 'joy' to form 'joyless' in Modern English.

Initially, the elements meant 'joy' and 'without' respectively, so the combined sense was 'without joy'; over time this basic meaning has been largely retained as 'lacking joy or cheer'.