rejoice
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /rɪdʒˈɔɪs/
US
- /rɪˈdʒɔɪs/
Description
- be happy
- celebrate
- delight
- feel joy
- exult
To rejoice is to feel or show great joy, especially when something good happens. Think of the feeling you get when your favorite team wins a championship: that is the kind of feeling this word describes. It is more than just being happy; it often suggests strong joy that is easy to see or share. Historically, "rejoice" has strong ties to religious celebrations and expressions of faith, but today it can be used in many situations where deep happiness is felt. You might rejoice at good news or in the beauty of a sunset.
The word "rejoice" means to feel or show great joy and delight. It is a powerful emotion, often associated with significant events or blessings. While we all experience happiness, rejoicing is a more intense and expressive form—it is a feeling that bubbles up and wants to be shared.
Historically, "rejoice" has deep roots in religious contexts. You will find it frequently used in hymns, prayers, and biblical texts, often expressing joy over salvation or divine grace. For example: "Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!"
However, rejoicing isn't limited to spiritual experiences. It can be used in any situation where someone feels overwhelming happiness. You might rejoice at the birth of a child, over a successful outcome, or even simply in a moment of peace and contentment. "The town rejoiced at the news of the ceasefire," or "She rejoiced in her daughter's accomplishments."
Interestingly, rejoicing isn't always quiet. It can involve loud celebrations, singing, dancing, and expressions of gratitude. Think of fans celebrating a victory together: that is a public display of collective rejoicing.
So, whether it is a personal triumph or a shared blessing, to rejoice is to experience and express profound joy—a feeling that lifts the spirit and fills the heart with gladness.
Examples
- 1
Family relief
The whole family rejoiced when the missing dog finally came home.
- 2
Community news
Local residents rejoiced at the news that the park would stay open.
Pattern
rejoice at + news/event
be very happy about it
- 3
Family pride
She rejoiced in her daughter's success and never felt jealous of it.
Pattern
rejoice in + success/achievement
take special pleasure in it
- 4
Formal statement
We rejoice that the hardest part of the project is finally over.
Usage
rejoice that...
a formal way to say you are glad something is true
- 5
Religious ceremony
At the wedding, the minister said, "Let us rejoice and be glad."
Usage
often used in formal or religious language
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- rejoiceverb
Forms
- rejoicing-ing formverb
- rejoicedpast tenseverb
- rejoicesverb