18 Other Ways to Say “Enjoy Yourself”

“Enjoy yourself” is a friendly and familiar phrase we use to encourage someone to have a good time or find pleasure in an experience. Whether you’re sending someone off on vacation or simply wishing them well at a party, it’s a versatile expression that conveys warmth and goodwill in just two simple words.

However, as language is rich with nuance, there are numerous other ways to express this sentiment, each with slightly different tones, from casual to formal, playful to poetic. This article explores 18 meaningful alternatives that can add variety to your vocabulary, helping you tailor your message more precisely based on the occasion and your relationship with the listener.

Other Ways to Say “Enjoy Yourself”

1. Have a great time

Example: “Have a great time at the concert tonight!”
Meaning: A direct and cheerful way to wish someone well during an upcoming event or experience.
Usage: Ideal for casual settings and friendly exchanges; perfect for travel send-offs, parties, and social gatherings.

2. Have fun

Example: “Have fun at your cousin’s wedding!”
Meaning: A short and simple phrase that encourages lightheartedness and pleasure.
Usage: Suitable for everyday conversation and friendly interactions, especially with children or peers.

3. Live it up

Example: “It’s your birthday—go live it up!”
Meaning: Implies making the most of a moment, often with enthusiasm or indulgence.
Usage: Informal and high-spirited, this phrase fits best when you want to encourage someone to fully embrace enjoyment without restraint.

4. Knock yourself out

Example: “Want to try all the desserts? Knock yourself out!”
Meaning: A humorous and relaxed way of giving someone full freedom to enjoy something.
Usage: Colloquial and playful, often used when granting permission in a casual or joking tone.

5. Have the time of your life

Example: “You’re going to Europe? Have the time of your life!”
Meaning: Implies a once-in-a-lifetime level of joy or a very memorable experience.
Usage: Great for milestone events like honeymoons, graduations, or dream vacations.

6. Make the most of it

Example: “It’s a short weekend trip, but make the most of it.”
Meaning: Encourages someone to savor and appreciate a limited or special experience.
Usage: Useful when time is limited or circumstances aren’t perfect, but you still want to offer encouragement.

7. Have a blast

Example: “You’ll have a blast at that comedy show!”
Meaning: A modern and informal way of saying someone will have extreme fun.
Usage: Common in youth and social media language; upbeat and lively in tone.

8. Treat yourself

Example: “You’ve been working so hard—go treat yourself!”
Meaning: Suggests someone should indulge in a personal pleasure or reward.
Usage: Popular in self-care contexts, retail therapy, or encouraging someone to relax or splurge a little.

9. Take it all in

Example: “The scenery is stunning—just take it all in.”
Meaning: Implies deeply enjoying or appreciating an experience through mindfulness.
Usage: Especially fitting for travel, nature walks, or moments of quiet wonder.

10. Relish the moment

Example: “Relish the moment—it won’t come again.”
Meaning: Encourages someone to savor a special or fleeting experience with full awareness.
Usage: Best used in sentimental or reflective contexts, especially during milestones or meaningful events.

11. Soak it all up

Example: “The beach is beautiful this time of year—soak it all up.”
Meaning: To completely enjoy or absorb an experience or environment.
Usage: Often used in travel or vacation contexts, when the sensory elements are part of the joy.

12. Indulge yourself

Example: “Don’t hold back—indulge yourself tonight.”
Meaning: Encourages giving in to pleasures, often in a slightly luxurious or guilty-pleasure way.
Usage: Well-suited for dining, shopping, or relaxing scenarios where a bit of overdoing is acceptable.

13. Have a good one

Example: “Heading out? Have a good one!”
Meaning: A casual send-off wishing someone a good time or day.
Usage: Very informal and commonly used in day-to-day interactions, especially in the U.S.

14. Delight in it

Example: “It’s a rare opportunity—delight in it.”
Meaning: Expresses finding great joy or pleasure in something.
Usage: Slightly more formal or poetic; often found in writing or thoughtful conversations.

15. Have the best time

Example: “Wishing you the best trip ever—have the best time!”
Meaning: An enthusiastic variation of “have a great time,” with added emphasis.
Usage: Casual and cheerful, perfect for well-wishing friends and family.

16. Go have some fun

Example: “Work’s done—now go have some fun!”
Meaning: Encourages action toward enjoyment, often following a period of effort or responsibility.
Usage: Conversational and energetic; implies the person has earned the right to relax and have fun.

17. Savor the experience

Example: “The concert will be amazing—savor the experience.”
Meaning: To slowly and fully appreciate the experience.
Usage: Often used in emotional or once-in-a-lifetime situations, suggesting mindfulness and reflection.

18. Get the most out of it

Example: “You only get one first day on the job—get the most out of it.”
Meaning: Encourages someone to take full advantage of an opportunity or situation.
Usage: Fits both motivational and supportive conversations, in personal or professional contexts.

When to Use Different “Enjoy Yourself” Alternatives

In Professional Settings

In workplace or formal environments, you may want to steer away from overly casual phrases like “knock yourself out” or “have a blast,” and instead use more polished options like “make the most of it,” “savor the experience,” or “get the most out of it.” These expressions are polite and encouraging, without sounding unprofessional or overly familiar.

In Casual or Social Situations

For friends, family, or relaxed social settings, the fun and energetic phrases are perfect—“have a blast,” “live it up,” “treat yourself,” or even “go have some fun” all work wonderfully when you want to sound warm and enthusiastic. These choices are emotionally engaging and resonate especially well with close connections.

In Creative or Literary Expressions

When you’re writing creatively, sharing a heartfelt message, or giving a toast, you might lean toward more expressive and reflective phrases like “relish the moment,” “delight in it,” or “soak it all up.” These evoke imagery and emotion, helping create a more vivid and meaningful impact on the listener or reader.

Conclusion

While “enjoy yourself” is simple and effective, having a broader set of expressions at your disposal allows for more personalized and impactful communication. Depending on the setting—whether you’re giving a friendly farewell, writing a card, or encouraging a colleague—each of these phrases provides a unique shade of meaning and tone. Expanding your vocabulary in this way lets you be more intentional and expressive with your language.

And if you ever need even more inspiration, a quick search through a trusted thesaurus or writing resource can introduce you to dozens more creative alternatives for everyday expressions.

FAQs

What does “enjoy yourself” mean?

“Enjoy yourself” is a friendly and encouraging phrase that simply means to have a good time or to take pleasure in the moment or experience.

Is “enjoy yourself” formal or informal?

It’s generally informal but acceptable in many polite and semi-formal settings; for highly professional writing, alternatives like “make the most of it” or “savor the experience” may be more suitable.

Can I use “have fun” in place of “enjoy yourself”?

Yes, “have fun” is one of the most common and interchangeable alternatives. It’s slightly more casual but conveys the same message of lighthearted enjoyment.

Which alternatives sound more poetic or emotional?

Phrases like “relish the moment,” “delight in it,” and “soak it all up” carry a more thoughtful or emotional tone, making them ideal for meaningful messages or creative writing.