enjoy

verb

en·​joy in-ˈjȯi How to pronounce enjoy (audio)
en-
enjoyed; enjoying; enjoys
Synonyms of enjoy

intransitive verb

: to have a good time

transitive verb

1
: to have for one's use, benefit, or lot : experience
enjoyed great success
2
: to take pleasure or satisfaction in
enjoyable
in-ˈjȯi-ə-bəl How to pronounce enjoy (audio)
en-
adjective
enjoyableness noun
enjoyably
in-ˈjȯi-ə-blē How to pronounce enjoy (audio)
en-
adverb
enjoyer noun
see also:
enjoy oneself

Synonyms of enjoy

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Examples of enjoy in a Sentence

Relax and enjoy the view. He always enjoys a good laugh. No one enjoys being teased. She enjoyed great success in her new business. The show enjoyed a brief surge of popularity. They enjoyed a large income from their investments.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The pledge raises some questions about what kind of voting rights the shares would have; SpaceX is a dual-class stock and Musk enjoys supermajority control of the company. — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026 If the league will miss games and potentially jeopardize the sustained growth baseball has enjoyed. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026 In 1962, The Jetsons enjoyed seamless video calls and never dropped a signal in a lift or a flying car. — Stephen Farrugia, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 For now, airlines and other companies with big fuel bills enjoyed the benefit of Tuesday’s drop. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enjoy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enjoien, from Anglo-French enjoir, enjoier to gladden, enjoy, from en- + joie joy

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of enjoy was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing enjoy

Rhymes for enjoy

See All Rhymes for enjoy

Browse Nearby Words

enjoinment
enjoy
enjoyable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enjoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enjoy. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

enjoy

verb
en·​joy in-ˈjȯi How to pronounce enjoy (audio)
1
: to have or experience as a benefit or for one's use
enjoy great success
enjoying the freedom to pursue one's interests
2
: to take pleasure from
I didn't enjoy the movie
enjoyable
-ə-bəl How to pronounce enjoy (audio)
adjective
enjoyableness noun
enjoyably
-blē How to pronounce enjoy (audio)
adverb
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