enjoy

verb

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

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 adjective
enjoyableness noun
enjoyably adverb
enjoyer noun
Phrases
enjoy oneself
: to have a good time

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 Some are geographically close to Russia and worry about war spilling over to their borders, others are protected by miles of land between them and Moscow and have enjoyed decades of good economic relations with Russia. Luke McGee, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024 Wahba still enjoys showing people around her neighborhood—a mix of classic one-story bungalows, redbrick corner stores, and small businesses. Heather Greenwood Davis, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Mar. 2024 There will be pictures with a bunny and a chance to enjoy a hike or picnic in the park. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024 Police said the man, armed with a gun, hopped out of the car and ran across Marva Y. Bannerman Park, 4830 NW 24th Ave., as children and adults were enjoying the evening. Omar Rodríguez Ortiz, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024 The chef serves them hot from the oven, sprinkled with sea salt and three to a small cast-iron pan, which is too few for those who like to use bread to enjoy the remains of dressings or sauces. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 Watch clips of Dion enjoying the Bruins game below. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2024 Port Aransas has a cozy, small-town feel with miles of beaches to enjoy. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024 The awe-inspiring sight—which occurs when electrically charged solar particles interact with gasses in the earth’s atmosphere—is best enjoyed in rural areas where little light pollution allows aurora to shine its brightest. Paul Rubio, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'enjoy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 intransitive sense

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

Dictionary Entries Near enjoy

Cite this Entry

“Enjoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enjoy. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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 adjective
enjoyableness noun
enjoyably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on enjoy

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