ENGLISH
REFERENCE

rejoice

v.
C1 Advanced US //ɹɪˈdʒɔɪs// UK //ɹɪdʒˈɔɪs// re·joice Archaic

v. to feel or show great happiness about something. You use this when you are celebrating a big success or a very happy event.

v. to feel or express great joy or delight. Often carries a formal or literary tone; frequently used in religious or celebratory contexts.


SIMPLE

The fans rejoice when their team finally wins the championship.

CONTEXTUAL

The entire nation seemed to rejoice at the news that the long conflict had finally ended.

COMPLEX

While the scientists did not yet have a cure, they had reason to rejoice in the significant progress made during the initial clinical trials.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English rejoicen, rejoisen, from Old French resjoir. Doublet of rejoy. Compare French réjouir; Spanish regocijar; Portuguese regozijar; Italian gioire

Usage

The verb is intransitive and often takes the preposition 'at' or 'in'.

Pitfall

They rejoiced the victory.They rejoiced in the victory.Rejoice is intransitive and requires a preposition like 'in' or 'at' before the noun.

© 2026 English Reference