please
Americanadverb
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)
idioms
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
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
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
overpleaseverb
-
unpleasedadjective
-
pleasableadjective
-
half-pleasedadjective
-
pleasernoun
-
pleasedlyadverb
-
unpleasableadjective
-
pleasednessnoun
-
self-pleasedadjective
-
well-pleasedadjective
-
outpleaseverb (used with object)
-
pleasedadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have pleasedperfect
-
has pleasedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have been pleasingperfect progressive
-
am pleasingprogressive 1st person singular
-
are pleasingprogressive
-
is pleasingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
has been pleasingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
pleasessingular 3rd person
-
pleasingparticiple
Past
-
had pleasedperfect
-
had been pleasingperfect progressive
-
were pleasingprogressive plural
-
was pleasingprogressive singular
-
pleasedsimple
-
pleasedparticiple
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.
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.
"Next time you go out, please take me with you!"
From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026
“This has got to stop, we can’t have a society that allows this to happen, we have got to make a stand, so please, no more,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
"He says, 'Yes, yes, I'm fine Chris, please go.'"
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
Another took a similar courteous tone: “Erica, queen of them all… please let the mister give it one more go!”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026
“Sadie, please don’t leave the house without telling us where you’re going,” he tells Grandma.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
