Etymology Map
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Enjoy

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to take pleasure in

Where does the word "enjoy" come from? It comes from Latin gaudere, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
gaudere
Latin · ancient
"to rejoice"
the root of 'joy' and 'gaudy'
2
Stage 2 of 3
enjoir
Old French · medieval
"to give joy"
'en-' plus 'joir', to rejoice
3
Stage 3 of 3
enjoy
English · 1300s
"to take pleasure in"
'enjoy!' as an interjection is a Yiddish-influenced Americanism
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Read the full story

Enjoy’s story begins in Latin: gaudere meant “to rejoice.” The root of 'joy' and 'gaudy'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as enjoir. 'en-' plus 'joir', to rejoice. It reached English by 1300s as enjoy. 'enjoy!' as an interjection is a Yiddish-influenced Americanism. Today, enjoy means to take pleasure in.