Rejoice – Meaning, Definition, Synonyms and Antonyms
Rejoice is a verb that means to feel or show great joy, happiness, or celebration (often in response to good news or an achievement). If you are learning vocabulary for writing or ESL practice, this guide will help you use rejoice correctly and confidently.
Meaning:
Rejoice means to feel or express great joy, happiness, or celebration. It can also describe being pleased about something you expect or have just experienced.
Definition:
to feel or express deep happiness and joy, especially when celebrating good news, success, or a special occasion. You may also see it used in formal or religious writing to express spiritual gladness.
Etymology (Origin):
The word rejoice comes from Latin rejoicere, meaning “to leap back” or “to spring again,” which later developed into the idea of feeling renewed joy. In English, rejoice has been used since around the 14th century, especially in literary and formal contexts.
Example Sentences:
- They rejoice at the news of the team’s victory.
- Let us rejoice in our achievements, and then plan what comes next.
- The community began to rejoice as the new hospital opened.
- She rejoiced when she learned she had been accepted into the program.
- We can rejoice in small improvements every day, even when progress is slow.
Rejoice Synonyms:
- Celebrate
- Cheer
- Delight
- Enjoy
- Exult
- Overjoy
- Rejoice (in the noun form: rejoicing)
- Revel
- Joy (as a related concept)
- Gratify (meaning to please)
Rejoice Antonyms:
- Mourn
- Grieve
- Sorrow
- Lament
- Regret
- Wail
- Weep
- Condole
- Agonize
- Despair
Usage Tips:
- Use rejoice in for enjoying or valuing something: “They rejoiced in the opportunity.”
- Use rejoice at or rejoice over for a reaction to news or events: “She rejoiced at the results.”
- In formal writing, rejoice can be religious or ceremonial: “Let the people rejoice.”
FAQs:
1) Is rejoice positive or negative?
Rejoice is strongly positive because it expresses happiness, joy, or celebration.
2) What is the difference between rejoice and celebrate?
Celebrate focuses on the act of holding an event or marking something, while rejoice emphasizes the feeling of joy (they can overlap in meaning, but rejoice is more about emotion).
3) Can I use rejoice in everyday conversation?
Yes, but it may sound a bit formal. In casual speech, people often say “feel happy” or “be excited,” unless they want a more dramatic tone.
4) What are common collocations with rejoice?
Common patterns include rejoice at, rejoice over, and rejoice in.
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