English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

From Middle English enjoyen, from Old French enjoier, anjoier, enjoer (to give joy, receive with joy, rejoice), equivalent to en- +‎ joy.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ɪnˈd͡ʒɔɪ/, /ənˈd͡ʒɔɪ/, /ɛnˈd͡ʒɔɪ/
  • (file)
  • Hyphenation: en‧joy
  • Rhymes: -ɔɪ

Verb edit

enjoy (third-person singular simple present enjoys, present participle enjoying, simple past and past participle enjoyed)

  1. (transitive) To receive pleasure or satisfaction from something.
    Enjoy your holidays!   I enjoy dancing.
    • 2013 July-August, Henry Petroski, “Geothermal Energy”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 4:
      Energy has seldom been found where we need it when we want it. Ancient nomads, wishing to ward off the evening chill and enjoy a meal around a campfire, had to collect wood and then spend time and effort coaxing the heat of friction out from between sticks to kindle a flame. With more settled people, animals were harnessed to capstans or caged in treadmills to turn grist into meal.
  2. (transitive) To have the use or benefit of something.
    I plan to go travelling while I still enjoy good health.
    • 1611, The Holy Bible, [] (King James Version), London: [] Robert Barker, [], →OCLC, Numbers 36:8:
      that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his fathers
    • 1988, Harry G Frankfurt, The importance of what we care about: philosophical essays:
      This account fails to provide any basis for doubting that animals of subhuman species enjoy the freedom it defines.
  3. (intransitive, India) To be satisfied or receive pleasure.
    I enjoyed a lot.
  4. (transitive) To have sexual intercourse with.

Usage notes edit

Synonyms edit

Derived terms edit

Translations edit

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Anagrams edit