Enjoy: meaning, definitions and examples

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enjoy

 

[ ɪnˈdʒɔɪ ]

Verb / Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Verb

feeling

To take pleasure in something; to find joy or satisfaction in a particular activity or experience.

Synonyms

appreciate, delight in, relish, savor.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
enjoy

Commonly used to express general pleasure or happiness from an experience or activity.

  • I really enjoy reading books on rainy days.
  • She enjoys spending time with her friends.
appreciate

Often used to express gratitude or recognition of the value of something, can also mean to understand or recognize the worth of something.

  • I appreciate your help with the project.
  • He appreciates good music.
savor

Used when someone takes time to enjoy something fully, often associated with food or moments that are to be lingered over.

  • He savored every bite of the delicious meal.
  • She savors the quiet moments in her garden.
relish

Implies taking great enjoyment in something, often used for experiences or anticipation of something pleasurable.

  • He relished the thought of a vacation.
  • She relishes the challenge of a new project.
delight in

Used when someone takes great pleasure in something, often something they find particularly enjoyable.

  • She delights in the laughter of children.
  • He delights in solving difficult puzzles.

Examples of usage

  • I really enjoy spending time with my family.
  • She enjoys reading books in her free time.
  • They enjoy going for a walk in the park.
Context #2 | Verb

use

To use or have the benefit of something with pleasure.

Synonyms

experience, have, take advantage of.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
enjoy

Use this word when talking about taking pleasure or deriving satisfaction from something.

  • I really enjoy going to the beach.
  • She seems to enjoy her new job.
experience

This word is suitable for when you want to talk about feeling or undergoing something, often for the first time.

  • He experienced a lot of joy during the concert.
  • You'll experience a rush of excitement when you try bungee jumping.
have

This is a versatile word that can be used to indicate possession, but it can also imply experiencing or enjoying something, usually in a general sense.

  • I had a great time at the party.
  • She had a lovely vacation in Greece.
take advantage of

This phrase is used when someone makes use of an opportunity, situation, or resource to benefit themselves. It can have a neutral or negative connotation depending on the context.

  • He took advantage of the sunny day to go hiking.
  • Don't let people take advantage of your kindness.

Examples of usage

  • I enjoy a good cup of coffee in the morning.
  • She enjoys listening to music while working.
  • They enjoy the beautiful view from their balcony.
Context #3 | Noun

pleasure

A feeling of great pleasure and satisfaction.

Synonyms

delight, pleasure, satisfaction.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
enjoy

Used when someone is having fun or finding something pleasant and agreeable. Commonly used in everyday settings and informal conversations.

  • I really enjoy spending time with my friends.
  • Do you enjoy playing soccer?
pleasure

Often used to express a sense of happiness and satisfaction. 'Pleasure' can denote enjoyment from something pleasing or agreeable and is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

  • It was a pleasure to meet you.
  • Reading a good book is such a pleasure for me.
satisfaction

Typically used to indicate a feeling of contentment or fulfillment, especially after a need or desire has been met. This term is often used in more formal situations and can imply a deeper sense of accomplishment.

  • She felt a sense of satisfaction after completing the project.
  • The customer expressed his satisfaction with the service.
delight

This word is used for expressing great pleasure or extreme satisfaction, usually more intense than 'enjoy.' It is often used in more formal settings or to describe profound happiness.

  • The children’s laughter filled me with delight.
  • She was delighted by the beautiful surprise.

Examples of usage

  • The play brought great enjoyment to the audience.
  • She found a lot of enjoyment in painting.
  • The trip was full of enjoyment and adventure.

Translations

Translations of the word "enjoy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 aproveitar

🇮🇳 आनंद लेना

🇩🇪 genießen

🇮🇩 menikmati

🇺🇦 насолоджуватися

🇵🇱 cieszyć się

🇯🇵 楽しむ (tanoshimu)

🇫🇷 profiter

🇪🇸 disfrutar

🇹🇷 keyif almak

🇰🇷 즐기다 (jeulgida)

🇸🇦 استمتع (istamtae)

🇨🇿 užívat si

🇸🇰 užívať si

🇨🇳 享受 (xiǎngshòu)

🇸🇮 uživati

🇮🇸 njóta

🇰🇿 ләззат алу

🇬🇪 ისიამოვნო (isiamovno)

🇦🇿 zövq almaq

🇲🇽 disfrutar

Etymology

The word 'enjoy' originated in Middle English from the Old French word 'enjoier', meaning 'to give joy, rejoice'. It has been used in the English language since the 15th century. The concept of finding pleasure or satisfaction in something has been an essential part of human experience throughout history, and 'enjoy' continues to be a commonly used word in everyday language.

See also: joy, joyful, joyfully, joyfulness, joylessly, joyous, overjoyed, rejoice, unjoyfully.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,391, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.