enjoy

1 of 2

verb

en·​joy in-ˈjȯi How to pronounce enjoy (audio)
en-
enjoyed; enjoying; enjoys
Synonyms of enjoy

intransitive verb

: to have a good time

transitive verb

1
: to have for one's use, benefit, or lot : experience
enjoyed great success
2
: to take pleasure or satisfaction in
enjoyable
in-ˈjȯi-ə-bəl How to pronounce enjoy (audio)
en-
adjective
enjoyableness noun
enjoyably
in-ˈjȯi-ə-blē How to pronounce enjoy (audio)
en-
adverb
enjoyer noun
see also:
enjoy oneself

enjoyable

2 of 2

adjective

en·​joy·​able -ȯiəbəl How to pronounce enjoyable (audio)
: capable of being enjoyed : being a source of pleasure or enjoyment
an enjoyable afternoon at the seaside
those enjoyable traits of character that make us humanly weak but strongly human
enjoyableness
-bəlnə̇s
noun
plural -es
enjoyably
-blē How to pronounce enjoyable (audio)
-li
adverb

Synonyms of enjoy

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of enjoy in a Sentence

Verb Relax and enjoy the view. He always enjoys a good laugh. No one enjoys being teased. She enjoyed great success in her new business. The show enjoyed a brief surge of popularity. They enjoyed a large income from their investments.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
There’s something about us that is, God forgive us, that evolved to enjoy that. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026 Serving quick-cooking shrimp means that your family can enjoy dinner even sooner. — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 8 July 2026 There will be no games played today, with teams enjoying a little rest before the quarterfinals kick off from Thursday. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 8 July 2026 The area has not seen the same level of planning or public spending on trails that Miami and the eastern suburbs have enjoyed, Milian Orbis said. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for enjoy

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English enjoien, from Anglo-French enjoir, enjoier to gladden, enjoy, from en- + joie joy

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of enjoy was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing enjoy

Rhymes for enjoy

See All Rhymes for enjoy

Browse Nearby Words

enjoinment
enjoy
enjoyable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enjoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enjoy. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

enjoy

verb
en·​joy in-ˈjȯi How to pronounce enjoy (audio)
1
: to have or experience as a benefit or for one's use
enjoy great success
enjoying the freedom to pursue one's interests
2
: to take pleasure from
I didn't enjoy the movie
enjoyable
-ə-bəl How to pronounce enjoy (audio)
adjective
enjoyableness noun
enjoyably
-blē How to pronounce enjoy (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on enjoy

Nglish: Translation of enjoy for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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