enjoyment
Americannoun
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the act of enjoying.
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the possession, use, or occupancy of anything with satisfaction or pleasure.
to have the enjoyment of a large income.
- Synonyms:
- gratification, delight
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a particular form or source of pleasure.
Hunting is his greatest enjoyment.
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Law. the exercise of a right.
the enjoyment of an estate.
noun
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the act or condition of receiving pleasure from something
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the use or possession of something that is satisfying or beneficial
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something that provides joy or satisfaction
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the possession or exercise of a legal right
Related Words
See pleasure.
Other Word Forms
- preenjoyment noun
- reenjoyment noun
- self-enjoyment noun
Etymology
Origin of enjoyment
Explanation
Enjoyment is what you experience when you are having a good time. You probably experience enjoyment in an amusement park, and a lack of enjoyment at the dentist. When you enjoy something, you like doing it. Enjoyment is a word for the pleasure that comes from enjoyable activities. Lots of people get enjoyment from reading, seeing movies, watching TV, and playing video games. Hanging out with friends is another common form of enjoyment. If you dislike doing something, then it brings you no enjoyment. Enjoyment is the opposite of feelings like boredom and misery.
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.
Mallett's father said he had lost not only his son, but his "best friend", and struggled to find enjoyment in life or motivation to do anything.
From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026
On the other hand, when participants thought a drink contained sugar, they reported greater enjoyment, even when the drink actually used artificial sweeteners.
From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026
It’s a reminder, McIlroy said, to find enjoyment in the journey rather than finally achieving a specific goal.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026
As one dinner began, my family unhappily discovered I’d poked a hole in the crust of a loaf of bread and hollowed out its soft insides for my own enjoyment.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026
He was touchingly devoted to the beautiful Nildro-hain; and he evidently had moods of gaiety and a great capacity for enjoyment.
From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams
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.
