pleasantry

[ plez-uhn-tree ]

noun

, plural pleas·ant·ries.

1. good-humored teasing; banter.
2. a humorous or jesting remark.
3. a courteous social remark used to initiate or facilitate a conversation:

   to exchange pleasantries.

4. a humorous action.

pleasantry

/ ˈplɛzəntrɪ /

noun

1. often plural an agreeable or amusing remark, often one made in order to be polite

   they exchanged pleasantries

2. an agreeably humorous manner or style
3. rare.
   enjoyment; pleasantness

   a pleasantry of life

Word History and Origins

Origin of pleasantry¹

1645–55; < French plaisanterie, Old French plesanterie. See pleasant, -ry

Word History and Origins

Origin of pleasantry¹

C17: from French plaisanterie, from plaisant pleasant

Example Sentences

But this pleasantry, excellent as pleasantry, hardly deserves serious refutation.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a continental form of pleasantry, and an artistic experiment in blasphemy which is taken seriously by the unwise.

From Project Gutenberg

She looked up with a sort of half smile, as if she suspected some pleasantry of which she had not yet detected the drift.

From Project Gutenberg

"I think there is no necessity for carrying a pleasantry into our private life," she said, in a perfectly amiable voice.

From Project Gutenberg

This was evidently local pleasantry, for the old man cackled over it, and his cronies joined in with gusto.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• repartee
• witticism