rejoice

verb

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

transitive verb

: to give joy to : gladden

intransitive verb

: to feel joy or great delight
rejoicer noun
rejoicingly
ri-ˈjȯi-siŋ-lē How to pronounce rejoice (audio)
adverb
see also:
rejoice in

Synonyms of rejoice

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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.
On the Miami Film Festival’s Instagram post about the news, residents and film lovers rejoiced. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 This morning, fans of both Patricia Highsmith and Dame Helen Mirren have cause to rejoice. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026 New York — Millennials, rejoice … the beloved video app Vine is being resurrected. — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026 Los Angeles film fans rejoiced last month with the news that the Cinerama Dome and Arclight Cinemas venue in Hollywood — which have been shuttered since the start of the pandemic — would finally reopen. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 8 Aug. 2026 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

Phrases Containing rejoice

Rhymes for rejoice

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Browse Nearby Words

rejigger
rejoice
rejoiceful
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rejoice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rejoice. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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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
-ˈjȯi-siŋ-lē How to pronounce rejoice (audio)
adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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