please
- (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?
- to like, wish, or feel inclined: Go where you please.
- to give pleasure or satisfaction; be agreeable: manners that please.
- if you please,
- if it be your pleasure; if you like or prefer.
- (used as an exclamation expressing astonishment, indignation, etc.): The missing letter was in his pocket, if you please!
Origin of please
Synonyms
See more synonyms for please on Thesaurus.comExamples from the Web for please
Contemporary Examples
“Please, please do not permit this to happen here in Florida,” wrote Cris K. Smith of East Polk County.
“Please,” he laughed, handing me the map after he was finished sketching.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left BehindBrin-Jonathan Butler
December 19, 2014
Please, Your Excellencies, consider my case with justice and intervene on my behalf.
Please know she has a very special place in our collective hearts.
I would nod, and we'd tell the St. Regis 'One more night, please.'
Historical Examples
If it please you, lady, my master bids me say he desires your presence.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
It is ever thus, when we disobey the gods, to please mortals.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
Tell Aunt Cornelia, please, that I shall be along in just a moment.
The SpendersHarry Leon Wilson
He returned at length with the message, "The lady says will you please step up-stairs."
The SpendersHarry Leon Wilson
"Call me Mr. Davis, if you please," said Halbert, haughtily.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
please
- to give satisfaction, pleasure, or contentment to (a person); make or cause (a person) to be glad
- to be the will of or have the will (to)if it pleases you; the court pleases
- if you please if you will or wish, sometimes used in ironic exclamation
- pleased with happy because of
- please oneself to do as one likes
- (sentence modifier) used in making polite requests and in pleading, asking for a favour, etcplease don't tell the police where I am
- yes please a polite formula for accepting an offer, invitation, etc
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for please
v.
early 14c., "to be agreeable," from Old French plaisir "to please, give pleasure to, satisfy" (11c., Modern French plaire, the form of which is perhaps due to analogy of faire), from Latin placere "to be acceptable, be liked, be approved," related to placare "to soothe, quiet" (source of Spanish placer, Italian piacere), possibly from PIE *plak-e- "to be calm," via notion of still water, etc., from root *plak- (1) "to be flat" (see placenta).
Meaning "to delight" in English is from late 14c. Inverted use for "to be pleased" is from c.1500, first in Scottish, and paralleling the evolution of synonymous like (v.). Intransitive sense (e.g. do as you please) first recorded c.1500; imperative use (e.g. please do this), first recorded 1620s, was probably a shortening of if it please (you) (late 14c.). Related: Pleased; pleasing; pleasingly.
Verbs for "please" supply the stereotype polite word (e.g. "Please come in," short for may it please you to ...) in many languages (French, Italian), "But more widespread is the use of the first singular of a verb for 'ask, request' " [Buck, who cites German bitte, Polish proszę, etc.]. Spanish favor is short for hace el favor "do the favor." Danish has in this sense vær saa god, literally "be so good."
Idioms and Phrases with please
please
see as you please.