pleasant

[plez-uhnt]

adjective

1. pleasing, agreeable, or enjoyable; giving pleasure.

   pleasant news.

   Synonyms: gratifying, welcome

2. (of persons, manners, disposition, etc.) socially acceptable or adept; polite; amiable; agreeable.

   Synonyms: friendly, congenial, delightful

3. fair, as weather.

   a pleasant summer day.

4. Archaic.,  lively, sprightly, or merry.

5. Obsolete.,  jocular or facetious.

pleasant

/ ˈplɛzənt /

adjective

1. giving or affording pleasure; enjoyable

2. having pleasing or agreeable manners, appearance, habits, etc

3. obsolete,  merry and lively

Other Word Forms

• pleasantly adverb
• pleasantness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pleasant¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English plesaunt, from Old French plaisant, originally present participle of plaisir “to please”; equivalent to please + -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of pleasant¹

C14: from Old French plaisant, from plaisir to _please

Example Sentences

There was no shortage of pleasant tasks to choose from, for it was all written down on the list.

Read more on Literature

“It is pleasant here, but there is no bench. Would it be perfectly uncivilized of us to sit upon the ground?”

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“It’ll be a pleasant change of scene for the staff, anyway.”

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Mr Frémond feels the bin bag-filled pavements make his neighbourhood near Spitalfields Market, a popular spot for tourists known for its food and art stalls, less pleasant for residents and visitors alike.

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But the idea of making offices and factory floors comfortable and pleasant is only a decades-old trend.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• agreeable 
• amiable 
• amusing 
• bland 
• charming 
• cheerful 
• congenial 
• cool 
• cordial 
• delightful 
• engaging 
• enjoyable 
• fun 
• gracious 
• homey 
• likable 
• lovely 
• mild 
• pleasing 
• pleasurable