Enjoyed

ɪnˈdʒɔɪd

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To experience pleasure or satisfaction from something.

ɪnˈdʒɔɪd

verbpositiveBeginner
General

To take pleasure in or to appreciate something.

They enjoyed the beautiful sunset.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're eating your favorite ice cream. You savor every bite and feel happy. That feeling of happiness you get? That's what it means to enjoy something! It's like saying you like and appreciate it.

👶 For kids: When you enjoy something, it means you like it and you have fun doing it.

More Examples

2

We enjoyed the delicious meal at the restaurant.

3

She enjoyed reading her favorite book.

How It's Used

General

"I enjoyed the movie very much."

Social

"We enjoyed their company at the party."

2

To possess and use something (often a right, privilege, or benefit).

ɪnˈdʒɔɪd

verbneutralmedium
General

To possess and make use of something.

She enjoys the benefits of a good pension.

💡 Simply: Imagine you have a special privilege, like a VIP pass to a concert. This meaning of enjoy means you get to actually use that pass and go to the concert - you *get* to experience and use the benefits of having that pass.

👶 For kids: When you enjoy something, it means you get to have it and use it.

More Examples

2

They enjoyed the freedom of living alone.

3

The company enjoys a strong market position.

How It's Used

Legal

"The property owner enjoys the right to sell their land."

Formal

"He enjoys a high reputation within the field."

Tip:Think about enjoying the benefits of having a car; the right to drive, to transport things.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Idioms & expressions

enjoy oneself

To experience pleasure or satisfaction; to have a good time.

"We enjoyed ourselves at the amusement park."

From Middle English *enjoien*, from Old French *enjoir*, from *en-* (from Latin *in-* 'in, on') + *joie* ('joy').

The verb 'enjoy' has been used since the 13th century, initially meaning 'to rejoice'. It later developed to include the sense of experiencing pleasure.

Memory tip

Think of 'joy'. If you experience joy, you are enjoying something.

Word Origin

LanguageOld French
Original meaning

"to make joyful"

enjoy a mealenjoy a holidayenjoy a hobbyenjoy the benefitsenjoy the game

Common misspellings

enjoidenjoiedenjoeyd

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written