please

[pleez]

adverb

1. (used as a polite addition to requests, commands, etc.) if you would be so obliging; kindly.

   Please come here.

   Will you please turn the radio off?

verb (used with object)

pleased, pleasing 

1. to act to the pleasure or satisfaction of.

   to please the public.

2. to be the pleasure or will of.

   May it please your Majesty.

verb (used without object)

pleased, pleasing 

1. to like, wish, or feel inclined.

   Go where you please.

   Synonyms: wish, want, like, choose

2. to give pleasure or satisfaction; be agreeable.

   manners that please.

please

/ ˈpliːzɪdlɪ, pliːz /

verb

1. to give satisfaction, pleasure, or contentment to (a person); make or cause (a person) to be glad

2. to be the will of or have the will (to)

   if it pleases you

   the court pleases

3. if you will or wish, sometimes used in ironic exclamation

4. happy because of

5. to do as one likes

adverb

1. (sentence modifier) used in making polite requests and in pleading, asking for a favour, etc

   please don't tell the police where I am

2. a polite formula for accepting an offer, invitation, etc

Other Word Forms

• pleasable adjective
• pleasedly adverb
• pleasedness noun
• pleaser noun
• half-pleased adjective
• outplease verb (used with object)
• overplease verb
• self-pleased adjective
• unpleasable adjective
• unpleased adjective
• well-pleased adjective
• pleased adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of please¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; (verb) Middle English plesen, plaisen, from Middle French plaisir, ultimately from Latin placēre “to please, seem good” ( placid ); the use of please with requests, etc., is presumably a reduction of the clause (it) please you “may it please you,” later reinforced by imperative use of intransitive please to be pleased, wish

Word History and Origins

Origin of please¹

C14 plese, from Old French plaisir, from Latin placēre to please, satisfy

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. if you please,

   1. if it be your pleasure; if you like or prefer.

   2. (used as an exclamation expressing astonishment, indignation, etc.).

      The missing letter was in his pocket, if you please!

see as you please.

Example Sentences

"It's a pleasure to be part of that in Premier League history, really pleased. Now let's go for 250 more."

From BBC

“Call me old fashioned, but I think that companies should make their money by pleasing their customers and not by using government to take money that families have earned.”

From Los Angeles Times

Delila Combs, 18, pleaded: "We can't watch our baby sister grow up fatherless the same way we grew up motherless... Please, please give our family the chance to heal."

From BBC

Skipper was pleased with a defense that did not allow a point in the second half against Northwestern last week, helping the team’s comeback bid.

From Los Angeles Times

"I'm pleased this unprecedented ban has been lifted and the situation finally resolved, so that we can continue to get on with our jobs as we always have done," said Ms Fahy.

From BBC

Related Words

• amuse 
• charm 
• cheer 
• entertain 
• gratify 
• satisfy 
• tickle 
• wow