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
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.
In the intervening eight years, Jenny Lewis has enjoyed a successful solo career; she will be rejoined at Just Like Heaven — and other tour dates to follow — by bandmates Blake Sennett, Pierre De Reeder and Jason Boesel. Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025 Choose between 40 premade meals each week, which are shipped directly to your door, then simply reheat and enjoy. Maggie Horton, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025 All three can be enjoyed as part of a healthy and well-rounded diet. Jillian Kubala, Health, 27 Jan. 2025 Under the creative lead of Fausto Puglisi, Roberto Cavalli, which is marking its 55th anniversary this year, has enjoyed momentum over the past few years, and made a push to expand its product mix. Martino Carrera, WWD, 27 Jan. 2025 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

Dictionary Entries Near enjoy

Cite this Entry

“Enjoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enjoy. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!