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

Derived 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

"Everybody was rejoicing to know that we get saved because we thought we were going to die," Olympia Outten, one of the passengers on the plane, said afterwards.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

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

From Slate • Mar. 3, 2026

Loved ones, teachers and school principals are rejoicing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 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

So many handfuls to one measure, so many measures to one sack; one after the other the sacks are filled and put away, with rejoicing and thankfulness.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya

Related Words

• elation