enjoy

[ en-joi ]

verb (used with object)

1. to experience with joy; take pleasure in:

   He enjoys Chinese food.

   Synonyms: savor, relish, fancy, appreciate

2. to have and use with satisfaction; have the benefit of:

   He enjoys an excellent income from his trust funds.

   Synonyms: own, possess

3. to find or experience pleasure for (oneself ):

   She seems to enjoy herself at everything she does.

4. to undergo (an improvement):

   Automobile manufacturers have enjoyed a six-percent rise in sales over the past month.

5. to have intercourse with.

enjoy

/ ɪnˈdʒɔɪ /

verb

1. to receive pleasure from; take joy in
2. to have the benefit of; use with satisfaction
3. to have as a condition; experience

   the land enjoyed a summer of rain

4. archaic.
   to have sexual intercourse with
5. enjoy oneself
   to have a good time

Derived Forms

• enˈjoyably, adverb
• enˈjoyable, adjective
• enˈjoyer, noun
• enˈjoyableness, noun

Other Words From

• en·joyer noun
• en·joying·ly adverb
• preen·joy verb (used with object)
• reen·joy verb (used with object)
• unen·joyed adjective
• unen·joying adjective
• unen·joying·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of enjoy¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English enjoyen “to make joyful,” from Old French enjoier “to give joy to”; en- ¹( def ), joy ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of enjoy¹

C14: from Old French enjoir, from en- ¹+ joir to find pleasure in, from Latin gaudēre to rejoice

Example Sentences

Several people I spoke to after the screening enjoyed the movie with Jan, a film colourist from Warsaw calling it "a classic western".

From BBC

He was a talk-show host who didn’t always seem to enjoy talking to people.

From New York Times

I just feel like I'm starting to enjoy it.

From BBC

He also enjoys a busy life away from politics - he has seven children and spends time with his wife, Lordina.

From BBC

I called at the café I had been heading for that day and enjoyed the breakfast I had been denied the year before.

From BBC

Related Words

• boast
• experience
• have
• hold
• maintain
• own
• retain
• use