enjoy

[ en-joi ]

verb (used with object)

1. to experience with joy; take pleasure in:

   He enjoys Chinese food.

   Synonyms: savor, relish, fancy, appreciate

2. to have and use with satisfaction; have the benefit of:

   He enjoys an excellent income from his trust funds.

   Synonyms: own, possess

3. to find or experience pleasure for (oneself ):

   She seems to enjoy herself at everything she does.

4. to undergo (an improvement):

   Automobile manufacturers have enjoyed a six-percent rise in sales over the past month.

5. to have intercourse with.

enjoy

/ ɪnˈdʒɔɪ /

verb

1. to receive pleasure from; take joy in
2. to have the benefit of; use with satisfaction
3. to have as a condition; experience

   the land enjoyed a summer of rain

4. archaic.
   to have sexual intercourse with
5. enjoy oneself
   enjoy oneself to have a good time

Derived Forms

• enˈjoyer, noun
• enˈjoyably, adverb
• enˈjoyable, adjective
• enˈjoyableness, noun

Other Words From

• en·joyer noun
• en·joying·ly adverb
• preen·joy verb (used with object)
• reen·joy verb (used with object)
• unen·joyed adjective
• unen·joying adjective
• unen·joying·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of enjoy¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English enjoyen “to make joyful,” from Old French enjoier “to give joy to”; en- ¹( def ), joy ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of enjoy¹

C14: from Old French enjoir, from en- ¹+ joir to find pleasure in, from Latin gaudēre to rejoice

Example Sentences

“Having been a legislator and a mayor, I particularly enjoy being a chief executive,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

Either way, guests seeking a holiday getaway there can also enjoy a tingle of telling truth to power by posting their own reviews.

From The Daily Beast

You may just enjoy the rich, smooth fruit of their labor that little bit more.

From The Daily Beast

Mary Soames is an exception to the rule that gilded offspring endure life rather than enjoy it.

From The Daily Beast

The lads can enjoy a good pop shot, but should a woman come, all hell breaks loose.

From The Daily Beast

She reached forward to it in ecstasy; but she might not enjoy it, save at the price which her conscience exacted.

From Project Gutenberg

She made an end of her correspondence, and sat down to a delicious little supper alone; as she best liked to enjoy these treats.

From Project Gutenberg

When she got to the cadenza, he laid down his bton, and retired to lean against the door and enjoy it.

From Project Gutenberg

They had come down from the kraal to enjoy the sport and get some of the meat, of which they are particularly fond.

From Project Gutenberg

On Louis entering his chamber, he sent away Lorenzo; that he, at least, might enjoy the sleep that fled his master's eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• boast
• experience
• have
• hold
• maintain
• own
• retain
• use