enjoy
ehn-JOY
Enjoy (verb) means to take pleasure or satisfaction in something. Example: “Do you enjoy cooking for your friends at the weekend?”
verb
1
To take pleasure or satisfaction in something.
"Do you enjoy cooking for your friends at the weekend?"
"She really enjoys hiking on the weekends."
"We enjoyed the concert far more than we expected to."
2
To have the benefit or use of something.
"Citizens of the country enjoy free access to the public libraries."
"Our village enjoys good train links to the nearest city."
"The house enjoys a beautiful view of the valley."
How to use enjoy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo get pleasure from something, or to benefit from having it.
Common pairings
enjoy yourself
enjoy the moment
enjoy good health
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- enjoys
- Past tense
- enjoyed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Do you _____ cooking for your friends at the weekend?
Etymology
From Old French enjoier, "to give joy," from en- + joy.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for enjoy
See all rhymes for enjoy →Frequently asked questions
What does “enjoy” mean?
The word “enjoy” means to take pleasure or satisfaction in something. In plain terms, to get pleasure from something, or to benefit from having it.
How do you pronounce “enjoy”?
“Enjoy” is pronounced ehn-JOY (/ɛnˈd͡ʒɔɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “enjoy” in a sentence?
Here is “enjoy” used in a sentence: “She really enjoys hiking on the weekends.”
What is another word for “enjoy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “enjoy” include go to bed with and sleep with.
What part of speech is “enjoy”?
“Enjoy” is a verb.
Where does the word “enjoy” come from?
The word “enjoy” comes from Old French. From Old French enjoier, "to give joy," from en- + joy.
Is “enjoy” a common word?
“Enjoy” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “enjoy” have?
“Enjoy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to take pleasure or satisfaction in something.
What is the difference between enjoy and like?
Like expresses a general preference and can be mild or passive; you can like something without ever experiencing it. Enjoy is more active: it means to take real pleasure in something as you experience it. You might like the idea of hiking, but you enjoy the walk while you are actually on it.
Do you say 'enjoy doing' or 'enjoy to do'?
Say 'enjoy doing.' The verb enjoy is followed by a gerund, the -ing form, not an infinitive. So it is correct to write 'I enjoy swimming' or 'she enjoys reading,' but not 'I enjoy to swim.' This is a common mistake for English learners.
What is the opposite of enjoy?
The main opposites are dislike and hate, meaning to take no pleasure in something or to actively resent it. Milder options include detest and loathe for strong distaste, or simply 'not enjoy.' To endure or put up with something also contrasts with enjoying it, since you tolerate it without pleasure.
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