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.
On warm summer evenings your patio may come alive with the powerful croaking of tree frogs that enjoy the moist and protective habitat of potted succulents. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2025 Designed with a deep respect for the natural landscape, each homesite averages over a half acre, giving homeowners the space and serenity to enjoy a tranquil lifestyle rarely found in today’s fast-growing Kansas City metropolitan area. Prime Development Land Company, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2025 Losing Volpe for any amount of time would be a blow to the Yankees, who have enjoyed his uptick in offensive production. Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 7 June 2025 Many of its then-child stars — like Josh Brolin, Sean Astin, and Ke Huy Quan — have grown up to enjoy major career successes, but, for a generation of moviegoers, everything circles back to The Goonies. Sarah Weldon, EW.com, 7 June 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enjoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enjoy. Accessed 11 Jun. 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

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