rejoicing

American  

[ri-joi-sing] / rɪˈdʒɔɪ sɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person who rejoices.

   Synonyms:

   merrymaking, celebration

2. the feeling or the expression of joy.

3. Often rejoicings. an occasion for expressing joy.

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Other Word Forms

• rejoicingly
  adverb
• unrejoicing
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of rejoicing

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; see origin at rejoice, -ing ¹

Explanation

Rejoicing is celebration or festivity. There will be great rejoicing when your favorite cousin comes home after his three years away in the Peace Corps. You can use the word rejoicing as a noun, to mean jubilation and joy, or as an adjective to mean "joyful." A rejoicing crowd is full of happiness and cheer, and a rejoicing child might jump up and down with excitement. Rejoicing comes from the verb rejoice, which is rooted in the Old French word rejoir, a combination of the intensive re and joir, "be glad."

Example Sentences

There was much rejoicing and the oil was able to flow once more and prices returned almost to where they had been before the strait was closed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

So of course people are going to be rejoicing in the streets.

From Slate • Mar. 3, 2026

Not everyone can shed jealousy, let alone manage “compersion,” which entails rejoicing in a partner’s happiness with someone else.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 13, 2026

Following the Trump-brokered ceasefire last Friday, 20 surviving hostages returned to scenes of rejoicing, while the remains of four deceased were also handed back.

From Barron's • Oct. 14, 2025

The harvesting of the com was, traditionally, the occasion for rejoicing.

From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry

Related Words

• elation