please

American  

[pleez] / pliz /

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.

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!

please British  

/ 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

please More Idioms  

1. see as you please.

---

Other Word Forms

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

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” ( 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

Example Sentences

"No misery please, positivity all the way," he said, in a statement on social media.

From BBC

"We felt we helped her get there on her journey and we couldn't have been more pleased to be invited," she said.

From BBC

Richmond is "really pleased" with where he's got to in his career in recruitment.

From BBC

Allen, who also begins her three-night run of gigs at the London Palladium theatre on Friday, said: "I'm so pleased to make this special painting available for everyone to see."

From BBC

Investors likely will be pleased by the company’s balance sheet.

From Barron's

Related Words

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