pleasure

1 of 2

noun

plea·​sure ˈple-zhər  ˈplā- 

1

: desire, inclination

wait upon his pleasure

—William Shakespeare

2

: a state of gratification

3

a

: sensual gratification

b

: frivolous amusement

4

: a source of delight or joy

pleasure

2 of 2

verb

pleasured; pleasuring ˈplezh-riŋ 

ˈplāzh-;

ˈple-zhə-,

ˈplā-

transitive verb

1

: to give pleasure to : gratify

2

: to give sexual pleasure to

intransitive verb

1

: to take pleasure : delight

2

: to seek pleasure

Synonyms

Noun

• content
• contentedness
• contentment
• delectation
• delight
• enjoyment
• gladness
• gratification
• happiness
• relish
• satisfaction

Verb

• agree (with)
• content
• delight
• feast
• gas [slang]
• glad [archaic]
• gladden
• gratify
• please
• rejoice
• satisfy
• suit
• warm

Examples of pleasure in a Sentence

Noun

I paint for the sheer pleasure of it.

His grandparents took great pleasure in seeing him graduate from college.

Is this trip for business or pleasure?

It is a special pleasure for me to be here with you today.

Now I can enjoy the simple pleasures of life, like spending time with my family.

Verb

a wine that is sure to pleasure even the most discriminating palate

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

It can be enjoyed straight over ice or mixed as desired, with all the pleasure of a traditional spirit but none of the hangover. —Saveur Editors, Saveur, 25 Apr. 2024

All the pleasure concentrated not in the butter, or even the chocolate for which the shop is known, but in the mellow, nutty flavor of the flour. —Ruby Tandoh, The New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English plesure, alteration of plesir, from Anglo-French plaisir, from plaisir to please

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1537, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing pleasure

• anti-pleasure
• at someone's pleasure
• at the pleasure of (someone)
• gold of pleasure
• guilty pleasure
• mix business with pleasure
• my pleasure
• pleasure craft
• pleasure dome
• pleasure principle
• take pleasure in
• what's your pleasure?
• with pleasure

Kids Definition

pleasure

noun

plea·​sure

ˈplezh-ər,

ˈplāzh-

1

: a particular desire or purpose : inclination

what's your pleasure

2

: the feeling that comes when one's wishes are met

3

: a source of delight or joy