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
Etymology
Origin of enjoy
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English enjoyen “to make joyful,” from Old French enjoier “to give joy to”; see en- 1 ( def. ), joy ( def. )
Explanation
To enjoy something is to take delight or pleasure in something: to have fun doing it. Whatever you like or love, you enjoy. Saying you enjoy something is a major compliment: it means you like it, and it makes you happy. Some people enjoy sports; others enjoy music. TV, movies, books, video games, sunny days, pets, and exercise are enjoyed by many people. Different people enjoy different things. We can also talk about enjoying as a type of advantage. A tall boxer enjoys an advantage because he has a longer reach than a short boxer.
Vocabulary lists containing enjoy
Common Five-letter Words for Wordle, List 3
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Beowulf vocabulary
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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.
But De Zerbi said his players have to "enjoy this pressure", calling a "good thing" for them to have.
From BBC • May 18, 2026
“Outside, the expansive property offers room to unwind and enjoy existing patios, pool, and grounds for recreation, gardening, and family fun,” the listing adds.
From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026
Genetics can also play a role in how much coffee people enjoy, influencing both caffeine metabolism and the brain's reward system.
From Science Daily • May 18, 2026
Guests were separated from the street by large black panels, while onlookers and tourists were able to enjoy the show live from the sidewalk as it was broadcast across screens in the famed neighborhood.
From Barron's • May 17, 2026
“I’ve put in money before and gotten nothing back. So this is already paid for. I just don’t want it. You enjoy it, kid, okay?”
From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
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.
