enjoy
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to experience with joy; take pleasure in.
He enjoys Chinese food.
- Synonyms:
- savor, relish, fancy, appreciate
-
to have and use with satisfaction; have the benefit of.
He enjoys an excellent income from his trust funds.
-
to find or experience pleasure for (oneself ).
She seems to enjoy herself at everything she does.
-
to undergo (an improvement).
Automobile manufacturers have enjoyed a six-percent rise in sales over the past month.
-
to have intercourse with.
verb
-
to receive pleasure from; take joy in
-
to have the benefit of; use with satisfaction
-
to have as a condition; experience
the land enjoyed a summer of rain
-
archaic to have sexual intercourse with
-
to have a good time
Other Word Forms
- enjoyable adjective
- enjoyableness noun
- enjoyably adverb
- enjoyer noun
- enjoyingly adverb
- preenjoy verb (used with object)
- reenjoy verb (used with object)
- unenjoyed adjective
- unenjoying adjective
- unenjoyingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of enjoy
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English enjoyen “to make joyful,” from Old French enjoier “to give joy to”; en- 1 ( def. ), joy ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Anyone and everyone with a ticket can enjoy the show."
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
I bring a wagon to carry all my finds and really enjoy hunting for treasures.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
Beyond the drama, the hope in boxing circles is that both men can secure one final payday, emerge unscathed, and move on to enjoy the rewards of their careers.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
Each residence will also include deeded beach access, allowing homeowners to enjoy both ocean and riverfront living.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026
“For all I know, those dancing chickens would enjoy a bit of coddling. And who does not like to hear a good story?”
From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
