enjoy
gb/ɪnd͡ʒˈɔɪ/ us/ɪnd͡ʒˈɔɪ/
A2
English
~ 800
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
state
1
Take pleasure in something
To feel happy because you are doing or experiencing something you like.
Usage pattern:
to enjoy [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'enjoy' with 'like to', using 'enjoy to do' instead of 'enjoy doing'. The correct form is 'enjoy [verb+ing]'.
Synonyms
like (More general and can mean simple preference, not necessarily strong pleasure.)
|
appreciate (Implies recognizing the value or quality of something, sometimes more formal.)
Antonyms
dislike (Means to not like or to have a negative feeling towards something.)
|
hate (A much stronger negative emotion than simply not enjoying.)
Collocations
enjoy life
|enjoy the moment
|enjoy yourself
|enjoy a meal
|enjoy the show
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I really enjoy spending time with my family.
- She enjoys listening to jazz music in the evenings.
- They enjoyed the movie a lot.
- We enjoy walking in the park on weekends.
- He enjoys trying new kinds of food.
Learner examples
- I enjoy reading books.
- They enjoy playing football.
- We enjoy going to the beach.
- She enjoys cooking for her friends.
- I enjoy listening to music.
Verb
B1
state
2
Have the benefit of something
To have something good, such as a right, advantage, or good situation.
Usage pattern:
to enjoy [privilege/right/benefit]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this sense is about having something good, not about feeling pleasure.
Synonyms
possess (Focuses on ownership rather than the positive experience of it.)
|
benefit from (Highlights receiving an advantage, often from a source or situation.)
Antonyms
lack (Indicates not having something beneficial.)
|
suffer from (Implies experiencing a negative condition instead of a benefit.)
Collocations
enjoy good health
|enjoy freedom
|enjoy rights
|enjoy a high reputation
Themes
law
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- All citizens enjoy the right to free speech.
- He enjoys excellent health for his age.
- They enjoy a high level of trust in the community.
- The town enjoys a beautiful view of the mountains.
- She enjoys complete freedom in her work.
Learner examples
- We enjoy many freedoms in this country.
- He enjoys good health.
- They enjoy a safe neighborhood.
- I enjoy many benefits at my job.
- She enjoys full rights under the law.
Grammar
Dictionary form
enjoy
IPA
GB/ɪnd͡ʒˈɔɪ/
US/ɪnd͡ʒˈɔɪ/
Syllables & stress
en - joy (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (joy)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: enjoy
- 3rd Person Singular: enjoys
- Present Participle: enjoying
- Past: enjoyed
Word family
Expressions
enjoy every minute
1/ɪnd͡ʒˈɔɪ ˈɛvɹi mˈɪnɪt/
fixed phrase
Take pleasure in all moments of something
To be happy during all parts of an activity or event.
Examples
- The concert was amazing—I enjoyed every minute.
- She enjoyed every minute of her time abroad.
enjoy the ride
1/ɪnd͡ʒˈɔɪ ðə ɹˈaɪd/
idiom
informal
Appreciate an experience as it happens
To take pleasure in an experience without worrying too much about the result.
Examples
- The project will be challenging, but let's enjoy the ride.
- Life is short, so enjoy the ride.
enjoy yourself
1/ɪnd͡ʒˈɔɪ jʊɹsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
Have a good time personally
To have fun and feel happy while doing something.
Examples
- Enjoy yourself at the party tonight!
- We really enjoyed ourselves on vacation.