rejoice

verb

re·​joice ri-ˈjȯis How to pronounce rejoice (audio)
rejoiced; rejoicing

transitive verb

: to give joy to : gladden

intransitive verb

: to feel joy or great delight
rejoicer noun
rejoicingly adverb
Phrases
rejoice in

Examples of rejoice in a Sentence

We all rejoiced over our friend's good luck. rejoiced over our unexpected victory on the soccer field
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Anyone who has owned Magnificent Seven stock over those years has reason to rejoice. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025 On Thursday's episode, Hudson, 44, then played a video clip in which Casie rejoices in excitement after her dad made the big reveal. Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025 No one openly rejoices when an unathletic student fails a fitness test or exits gym dodgeball early. Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 In the Philippines, citizens rejoiced in it, and particularly in Padilla’s presence. Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rejoice

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French rejois-, stem of rejoier, rejoir, from re- + joir to welcome, enjoy, from Latin gaudēre to be glad — more at joy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of rejoice was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rejoice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rejoice. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

rejoice

verb
re·​joice ri-ˈjȯis How to pronounce rejoice (audio)
rejoiced; rejoicing
1
: to give joy to : gladden
news that rejoices the heart
2
: to feel joy or great delight
rejoice over a friend's good luck
rejoicer noun
rejoicingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on rejoice

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