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

An Iranian official in Tehran who is close to the opposition said people are rejoicing at the strikes but not openly.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 28, 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

The last notes thed away, the hall emptied of its rejoicing humanity.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

Related Words

• elation