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

And perhaps that’s what makes this message from Dr. Daniel Crosby so compelling— these three words matter so much within the context of our personal and financial growth because these aren’t just three nice ideas that give us a momentary sense of pleasure. —Tim Maurer, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024

It’s been a pleasure being a part of Vanderpump Rules and filling your TV screens with our lives over the past decade. —Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Dec. 2024

Verb

Seeing the actual act of ejaculation on-screen magnifies the euphoria of this moment and how much joy can be derived from prioritizing and pleasuring yourself as well as others. —David Opie, IndieWire, 7 Dec. 2024

Like, worse than the time Lois accused the nurse of pleasuring her comatose husband. —Andy Swift, TVLine, 2 Oct. 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