Definition of enjoy

Short definition: The word enjoy means to feel pleasure, happiness, or satisfaction from an activity, experience, or thing. People often use it when talking about food, trips, music, free time, or moments that feel good and relaxing.

Looking for a clear and real-life explanation of the word enjoy? The word enjoy is all about experiencing pleasure, satisfaction, or happiness from something—whether it’s a simple daily habit, a meaningful relationship, or a special moment in life. We use enjoy when we talk about liking what we do, appreciating what we have, and finding joy in both big and small experiences. Below, each meaning is explained in a relaxed, natural way with long examples that reflect how people truly use this word.

Verb forms: enjoy, enjoys, enjoying, enjoyed
Related: enjoyment n., enjoyable adj., enjoyer n.
Syllable: en-joy

1. (Verb) To take pleasure in an activity, experience, or moment.
   She really enjoys spending her weekends reading in a quiet café, because it helps her relax after a long and busy week.
   He enjoyed the concert so much that he talked about it for days afterward.
   They enjoy traveling together, especially when they can explore new cultures and food.

   Synonyms: like, love, take pleasure in, appreciate, relish, delight in, savor, take delight in, find joy in, have fun with, be fond of, get pleasure from
   Antonyms: dislike, hate, detest, dread, avoid, feel bored by, be tired of, resent, suffer through, endure unwillingly, feel annoyed by, loathe

2. (Verb) To experience something positive or beneficial.
   She enjoys good health, which allows her to stay active and independent.
   The company enjoyed great success after launching its new product.
   They enjoy strong support from their local community.

   Synonyms: benefit from, experience, have the advantage of, receive, possess, be blessed with, take advantage of, gain, profit from, relish having, be favored with, be fortunate to have
   Antonyms: lack, miss out on, be deprived of, lose, go without, suffer from absence, be short of, be denied, be without, face shortage of, be cut off from, be lacking in

3. (Verb) To like someone’s company or feel happy being with them.
   I really enjoy your company, because you always make me feel comfortable and understood.
   She enjoyed spending time with her grandparents, listening to their stories from the past.
   He enjoys working with his team, since they support each other during difficult moments.

   Synonyms: like being with, appreciate the company of, feel comfortable with, take pleasure in company, value companionship, be happy around, enjoy time with, feel at ease with, cherish moments with, like the presence of, be fond of being with, enjoy sharing time with
   Antonyms: avoid company, dislike being with, feel uncomfortable with, keep distance from, feel annoyed by, not enjoy being with, dread spending time with, stay away from, feel uneasy around, dislike the presence of, feel irritated by, shun

4. (Verb) To make good use of something pleasant while it lasts.
   You should enjoy your vacation before returning to your busy routine.
   She told him to enjoy the moment, because opportunities like this don’t come often.
   They decided to enjoy every minute of their time together, knowing they would soon have to say goodbye.

   Synonyms: make the most of, savor, appreciate fully, cherish, value deeply, relish the moment, embrace, treasure, take advantage of, enjoy while it lasts, live in the moment, soak up
   Antonyms: waste, ignore opportunities, overlook good moments, take for granted, neglect enjoyment, miss the moment, fail to appreciate, throw away chances, disregard pleasure, rush through, spoil the moment, lose appreciation

5. (Figurative) To take satisfaction in a situation, sometimes even when others might not.
   He seems to enjoy working under pressure, because it pushes him to perform at his best.
   She enjoys challenges, seeing them as chances to grow stronger.
   Some people actually enjoy solving complex problems, while others find them stressful.

   Synonyms: take satisfaction in, thrive on, welcome, embrace challenges, find pleasure in, take delight in difficulty, enjoy the thrill of, relish the challenge, be energized by, feel motivated by, gain satisfaction from, appreciate challenges
   Antonyms: avoid challenges, fear difficulty, dislike pressure, shy away from, be stressed by, be overwhelmed by, dread challenges, feel burdened by, be discouraged by, retreat from difficulty, hate pressure, resist effort