rejoice

verb

re·​joice ri-ˈjȯis How to pronounce rejoice (audio)
rejoiced; rejoicing

transitive verb

: to give joy to : gladden

intransitive verb

: to feel joy or great delight
rejoicer noun
rejoicingly adverb
Phrases
rejoice in

Examples of rejoice in a Sentence

We all rejoiced over our friend's good luck. rejoiced over our unexpected victory on the soccer field
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.
Radicals around the world rejoiced at Lincoln and his Grand Army of the Republic, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments. Jack Sheehan september 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025 Baby animal enthusiasts rejoice, soon there will be new pups to see in the Nashville Zoo's nursery. Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Sep. 2025 So rejoice, and fire up an éclade at your next cookout, campfire, or clambake. Peter Barrett, Outside, 30 Aug. 2025 While autumn lovers rejoice, the threat of warmer than normal weather is always on the horizon. Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rejoice

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French rejois-, stem of rejoier, rejoir, from re- + joir to welcome, enjoy, from Latin gaudēre to be glad — more at joy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of rejoice was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rejoice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rejoice. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

rejoice

verb
re·​joice ri-ˈjȯis How to pronounce rejoice (audio)
rejoiced; rejoicing
1
: to give joy to : gladden
news that rejoices the heart
2
: to feel joy or great delight
rejoice over a friend's good luck
rejoicer noun
rejoicingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on rejoice

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!