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

“Market participants are rejoicing as they head into the weekend.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 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

Nonetheless, the urban legend of American Muslims rejoicing at 9/11 took on a life of its own, which neatly fit a preexisting narrative casting all Muslims as irredeemable enemies of the West.

From Slate • Oct. 29, 2025

Yet despite widespread rejoicing over the ceasefire, Ayish is not optimistic about the long-term prospects for Gaza.

From BBC • Oct. 18, 2025

We ate the rest of the white bass that night and there was much rejoicing.

From "Island of the Blue Dolphins" by Scott O'Dell

Related Words

• elation