enjoy
To get pleasure or satisfaction from something.
Explanation at your level:
You use enjoy when you like something. For example: 'I enjoy pizza' or 'I enjoy movies.' It makes you feel happy.
Use enjoy to talk about your hobbies. 'I enjoy playing football' or 'I enjoy reading.' Remember to use the -ing form after the verb.
You can use enjoy to be polite. 'Enjoy your meal!' is a very common phrase in restaurants. It shows you want someone to have a nice experience.
Beyond simple likes, enjoy can describe possessing a benefit. 'He enjoys a high salary' means he has the advantage of a good income.
In advanced contexts, enjoy can imply the 'use' or 'exercise' of a right or privilege. 'The citizens enjoy freedom of speech' is a formal way to describe a protected state.
Literary usage often personifies enjoy as a state of being. You might find phrases like 'enjoying the quietude of the evening,' where the word elevates the atmosphere of the scene.
Word in 30 Seconds
- It means to find pleasure.
- Always use -ing after it.
- It is a transitive verb.
- Commonly used in polite phrases.
When you enjoy something, you are experiencing a sense of pleasure or satisfaction. It is one of the most common ways we describe our positive feelings about hobbies, food, or time spent with friends.
Think of it as the opposite of being bored or indifferent. Whether you are enjoying a delicious meal or enjoying a good book, you are actively participating in the goodness of that moment.
The word enjoy comes from the Old French word enjoier, which literally means 'to give joy to.' It combines the prefix en- (meaning 'in' or 'make') with joie (joy).
It entered the English language in the 13th century. Interestingly, its roots are tied to the Latin gaudere, which is the source of many 'joy' related words in Romance languages.
You can use enjoy with a noun (I enjoy music) or a gerund (I enjoy swimming). Note that we never say 'enjoy to swim'; always use the -ing form after the verb.
It is used in both casual and formal contexts. In a professional setting, you might say, 'I hope you enjoy the presentation,' which sounds polite and welcoming.
Enjoy yourself: To have a good time (e.g., 'Make sure you enjoy yourself at the party!').
Enjoy the ride: To appreciate the process rather than just the goal (e.g., 'Don't worry about the outcome, just enjoy the ride.').
Enjoy good health: To be healthy (e.g., 'She enjoys good health for her age.').
Enjoy one's company: To like being with someone (e.g., 'I really enjoy your company.').
Enjoy the fruits of one's labor: To benefit from your hard work (e.g., 'After years of study, he is finally enjoying the fruits of his labor.').
The verb enjoy is regular. Its forms are enjoys, enjoyed, and enjoying. It is a transitive verb, meaning it usually needs an object.
Pronounced /ɪnˈdʒɔɪ/, the stress is on the second syllable. It rhymes with words like boy, toy, and deploy.
Fun Fact
It replaced the Old English word 'brucan' (to brook/use).
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'in' sound followed by 'joy'.
Similar to UK, slightly more rounded 'o'.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'j' as 'y'
- Stressing the first syllable
- Adding an extra vowel sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Simple word
Easy to use
Common
Very common
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Gerunds
I enjoy swimming.
Transitive Verbs
I enjoy it.
Reflexive Pronouns
Enjoy yourself.
Examples by Level
I enjoy apples.
I like apples.
Verb + noun.
She enjoys music.
She likes music.
Third person singular -s.
We enjoy games.
We like games.
Simple present.
I enjoy the sun.
I like the sun.
Verb + noun phrase.
They enjoy school.
They like school.
Simple present.
I enjoy my dog.
I like my dog.
Possessive pronoun.
Do you enjoy it?
Is it fun for you?
Question form.
I enjoy walking.
I like to walk.
Verb + gerund.
I enjoy cooking dinner.
Do you enjoy traveling?
He enjoys watching TV.
We enjoy the weekend.
They enjoy playing tennis.
I enjoy learning English.
She enjoys her job.
I enjoy cold weather.
Enjoy your stay in London!
I really enjoy his company.
She enjoys a good challenge.
We enjoyed the concert last night.
He enjoys gardening on Saturdays.
They enjoy spending time together.
I enjoy listening to jazz.
Did you enjoy the movie?
He enjoys a reputation for honesty.
She enjoys the benefits of her hard work.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.
The hotel enjoys a great location.
They enjoy a close relationship.
I enjoy the process of writing.
We enjoy the freedom of living here.
He enjoys great respect in his field.
The company enjoys a monopoly in the market.
She enjoys the privilege of early retirement.
The house enjoys a view of the sea.
He enjoys the full confidence of the board.
The project enjoys widespread support.
They enjoy a high standard of living.
The law enjoys broad public approval.
He enjoys the luxury of working from home.
The region enjoys a temperate climate.
She enjoys the fruits of her long-term investment.
The author enjoys a cult following.
He enjoys the immunity granted by his status.
The city enjoys a rich cultural heritage.
They enjoy the quietude of the countryside.
The team enjoys a winning streak.
He enjoys the distinction of being the first.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"enjoy yourself"
have a good time
Go out and enjoy yourself!
casual"enjoy the ride"
appreciate the journey
Life is short, enjoy the ride.
casual"enjoy the fruits of one's labor"
reap rewards
He is enjoying the fruits of his labor.
formal"enjoy good health"
be healthy
She enjoys good health.
neutral"enjoy the limelight"
be the center of attention
He loves to enjoy the limelight.
neutral"enjoy a laugh"
have fun/laugh
We enjoyed a laugh together.
casualEasily Confused
Similar meaning
Enjoy is stronger
I like pizza vs I enjoy pizza.
Both positive
Appreciate is about value
I appreciate your time.
Both positive
Love is much stronger
I love my family.
Both mean enjoy
Relish is very formal
I relish the challenge.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + enjoy + noun
I enjoy music.
Subject + enjoy + gerund
I enjoy reading.
Subject + enjoy + reflexive
Enjoy yourself!
Subject + enjoy + noun phrase
He enjoys a high salary.
Subject + enjoy + object + adverb
I really enjoy it.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Enjoy is always followed by a gerund (-ing) or a noun.
The plural of yourself is yourselves.
Enjoy is transitive; no preposition needed.
Enjoy is transitive; do not use 'at'.
Do not add 'of' after enjoy.
Tips
In Joy
Remember it as 'In Joy'.
Polite Phrases
Use 'Enjoy!' when giving something.
Hospitality
It is a sign of good hospitality.
No 'to'
Never use 'to' after enjoy.
Joy
Focus on the 'joy' part.
Transitive
Don't add prepositions.
History
From French 'enjoier'.
Keep a list
List 5 things you enjoy.
Gerunds
Always pair with -ing.
Context
Use it to show appreciation.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
EN (in) + JOY = In Joy.
Visual Association
A person smiling while eating ice cream.
Word Web
Challenge
Use 'enjoy' five times today.
Word Origin
Old French
Original meaning: to give joy
Cultural Context
None
Used frequently in social greetings like 'Enjoy!' when handing someone food.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Dining
- Enjoy your meal!
- Did you enjoy the food?
Social
- Enjoy yourself!
- I enjoy your company.
Work
- Enjoy the benefits.
- Enjoy the success.
Travel
- Enjoy your stay.
- Enjoy the trip.
Conversation Starters
"What do you enjoy doing on weekends?"
"Do you enjoy your current job?"
"What is the last thing you enjoyed?"
"Do you enjoy meeting new people?"
"What kind of music do you enjoy?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a hobby you enjoy.
Describe a meal you recently enjoyed.
Why is it important to enjoy life?
Who do you enjoy spending time with?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, always use -ing.
No, it is a verb.
Enjoyment.
It can be both formal and casual.
Enjoyed.
Yes, 'Enjoy your meal!'
Yes, but it is stronger.
Extremely common.
Test Yourself
I ___ the movie.
Subject-verb agreement.
Which is correct?
Enjoy + gerund.
Can you say 'I enjoyed at the park'?
Enjoy is transitive.
Word
Meaning
Synonym matching.
Subject-verb-object.
Score: /5
Summary
To enjoy is to find pleasure in an experience, and remember: never use 'to' after it, just use an -ing verb!
- It means to find pleasure.
- Always use -ing after it.
- It is a transitive verb.
- Commonly used in polite phrases.
In Joy
Remember it as 'In Joy'.
Polite Phrases
Use 'Enjoy!' when giving something.
Hospitality
It is a sign of good hospitality.
No 'to'
Never use 'to' after enjoy.
Example
Reading books is a great source of enjoyment for her.
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Learn it in Context
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