Synonyms

please

American

[pleez] / pliz /

adverb

(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)

to act to the pleasure or satisfaction of.

to please the public.
to be the pleasure or will of.

May it please your Majesty.

verb (used without object)

to like, wish, or feel inclined.

Go where you please.

Synonyms:

wish, want, like, choose
to give pleasure or satisfaction; be agreeable.

manners that please.

idioms

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!

please British

/ ˈpliːzɪdlɪ, pliːz /

verb

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 will or wish, sometimes used in ironic exclamation
happy because of
to do as one likes

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

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

please don't tell the police where I am
a polite formula for accepting an offer, invitation, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

please More Idioms

see as you please.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of please

First recorded in 1275–1325; (verb) Middle English plesen, plaisen, from Middle French plaisir, ultimately from Latin placēre “to please, seem good” ( see 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

Explanation

To please someone is to give them pleasure or to make them happy. This is also a word for polite requests like, "Could you please pass the milk?" Have you ever been asked "What's the magic word"? It's please, a small word that makes any request more polite. Saying please is sure to please just about everyone, although different things please different people. Turning in your homework on time will please your teachers, while a good belly rub and some extra treats will please your dog.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Guys, if you have ‘Polymarket’ in your account name, please rename them and remove it as soon as possible,” one Virality employee told a group of clippers in a group chat.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 21, 2026