enjoy

verb

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

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

see also enjoy oneself

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.
Fair attendees can enjoy a stay at a boutique hotel in the center, yet away from the hustle, at The James Suite Hotel 1564 or savor typical dishes made with fresh ingredients by the chefs at Santabarbara. Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026 Throughout the weekend, attendees can enjoy sets from BigXThaPlug, Chaka Khan, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Kool & the Gang, Del Water Gap, Tom Morello, Natasha Bedingfiled and more before each night’s headliners. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 13 Jan. 2026 There’s more to enjoy with special offerings at onsite hotel restaurants as well. Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026 Beach Read is a meta-romcom, a beach read about, well, writing a book someone might enjoy reading on a beach. Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Jan. 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enjoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enjoy. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.

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!