enjoy

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English

Alternative forms

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

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

Verb

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

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

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