ENGLISH
REFERENCE

enjoy

v.
A1 Beginner Oxford US //ˌɛnˈdʒɔɪ// UK //ɛndʒˈɔɪ// en·joy General-service

v. to get pleasure or satisfaction from something. You use this when you like doing an activity or when something makes you feel happy.

v. to derive pleasure or satisfaction from an activity, object, or experience. Transitive — requires a direct object or a gerund.


SIMPLE

I enjoy reading books in the evening.

CONTEXTUAL

Most people enjoy spending time with their friends and family during the holidays.

COMPLEX

While some travelers prefer the fast pace of city life, others enjoy the quiet solitude of a remote mountain cabin where they can disconnect from technology.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

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

Usage

The verb is transitive and must be followed by a noun, a pronoun, or a gerund (-ing form). It cannot be followed by an infinitive.

Pitfall

I enjoy to watch moviesI enjoy watching moviesEnjoy must be followed by a gerund (-ing), not an infinitive with 'to'.

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