pleasure

American  

[plezh-er] / ˈplɛʒ ər /

noun

1. the state or feeling of being pleased.

   Synonyms:

   delectation, gladness, happiness

2. enjoyment or satisfaction derived from what is to one's liking; gratification; delight.

3. worldly or frivolous enjoyment.

   the pursuit of pleasure.

4. recreation or amusement; diversion; enjoyment.

   Are you traveling on business or for pleasure?

5. sensual gratification.

   Synonyms:

   voluptuousness

6. a cause or source of enjoyment or delight.

   It was a pleasure to see you.

7. pleasurable quality.

   the pleasure of his company.

8. one's will, desire, or choice.

   to make known one's pleasure.

   Synonyms:

   predilection, inclination, wish, preference

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verb (used with object)

pleasured, pleasuring

1. to give pleasure to, especially sexually; gratify; please.

verb (used without object)

pleasured, pleasuring

1. to take pleasure; delight.

   I pleasure in your company.

2. to seek pleasure, as by taking a holiday.

pleasure British  

/ ˈplɛʒə /

noun

1. an agreeable or enjoyable sensation or emotion

   the pleasure of hearing good music

2. something that gives or affords enjoyment or delight

   his garden was his only pleasure

3. 1. amusement, recreation, or enjoyment

   2. ( as modifier )

      a pleasure boat

      pleasure ground

4. euphemistic sexual gratification or enjoyment

   he took his pleasure of her

5. a person's preference or choice

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verb

1. to give pleasure to or take pleasure (in)

Related Words

Pleasure, enjoyment, delight, joy refer to the feeling of being pleased and happy. Pleasure is the general term: to take pleasure in beautiful scenery. Enjoyment is a quiet sense of well-being and pleasurable satisfaction: enjoyment at sitting in the shade on a warm day. Delight is a high degree of pleasure, usually leading to active expression of it: delight at receiving a hoped-for letter. Joy is a feeling of delight so deep and so lasting that one radiates happiness and expresses it spontaneously: joy at unexpected good news.

Other Word Forms

• antipleasure
  noun
• pleasureful
  adjective
• pleasureless
  adjective
• pleasurelessly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of pleasure

First recorded in 1325–75; late Middle English ( see please, -ure); replacing Middle English plaisir, from Middle French (noun use of infinitive), from Latin placēre “to please”

Explanation

Pleasure is a general term for good feelings. People get pleasure from eating, sleeping, watching TV, or anything else they enjoy. Pleasure is the opposite of pain. Pain feels bad, but pleasure feels good. People talk about sexual pleasure, but that's just one kind. People get pleasure from delicious foods, great movies, beautiful music, and all sorts of other things. Something as small as a comfortable chair and something as big as your candidate being elected President can bring pleasure. If you had a good time hosting your friends for lunch, you can tell them "It was a pleasure."

Example Sentences

“It was a pleasure working with you guys and I wish you the best,” the controller said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

Some of those very same vistas may have inspired the works he rendered for our astoundment and pleasure on his show.

From Salon • May 2, 2026

"It's a real pleasure to be able to welcome members of the community to the college to let them see this important work of art for themselves."

From BBC • May 1, 2026

"Smell has a really profound and pervasive effect on human health, so restoring it is not just for pleasure and safety but also for psychological well-being," Datta said.

From Science Daily • Apr. 30, 2026

“I remember with more pleasure the weekend outings, with hikes, sports, campfires, and youth hosteling,” she said.

From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Related Words

• amusement
• bliss
• comfort
• contentment
• enjoyment
• gratification
• hobby
• joy
• luxury
• satisfaction
• thrill