Word
enjoy
Phoneticsen·joy, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɛnˈdʒɔɪ/
UK/ɛndʒˈɔɪ/
Definitions
01to get pleasure
A1 · Beginner
v. to get pleasure or satisfaction from something.
v. to derive pleasure or satisfaction from an activity, object, or experience. Transitive — requires a direct object or a gerund.
日本語:楽しむ※
“We really enjoy walking in the park when the weather is warm.”
“Most visitors enjoy exploring the narrow medieval streets of the old town, especially during the quieter morning hours before the tour buses arrive.”
Pitfall
I enjoy to watch movies.
I enjoy watching movies.
The verb 'enjoy' must be followed by a noun or a verb ending in -ing, never an infinitive with 'to'.
02to have a benefit
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
v. to have the use or benefit of something good, like good health or a right.
v. to possess and benefit from a particular state, right, or advantage. Often used with abstract nouns like 'health', 'reputation', or 'success'.
“The company has enjoyed great success since it launched the new app.”
“Despite his advanced age, the professor continued to enjoy excellent health and remained active in the university's research department.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03to have fun
B1 · Intermediate Dialect
v. to have a good time or be happy in a situation.
v. to experience pleasure or have fun. Used intransitively in specific regional dialects where the object is implied.
“The party was great and everyone was enjoying.”
“The wedding guests were all enjoying, dancing until the early hours of the morning to the local band.”
Usage
In standard British and American English, this verb is strictly transitive; using it without an object is characteristic of Indian English.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “enjoy” in context.
Real-World Examples
“The new year should be the moment we commit to dedicating more of our finite hours on the planet to things we genuinely, deeply enjoy doing – to the activities that seize our interest, and that make us feel vibrantly alive.” “Joy is crucial for resilience, but living in a stressed-out world can make it difficult to enjoy the little things.” “Older people enjoy reading negative stories about young” Etymology
From Middle English enjoyen, from Old French enjoier, anjoier, enjoer (“to give joy, receive with joy, rejoice”), equivalent to en- + joy.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/enjoy
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0