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

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

From Slate • Mar. 3, 2026

Benjamin Samat, a French influencer living in Dubai, took to Instagram to lash out at "those who on social media are rejoicing that the French are going through this".

From Barron's • Mar. 1, 2026

Loved ones, teachers and school principals are rejoicing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026

A few fans trickled out from behind the store, rejoicing that they’d seen her arrive.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 2025

Then the well-ordered hall was filled with rejoicing.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Related Words

• elation