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

Occasionally the movie does offer up a pleasing little nugget about the creative process, as when Springsteen changes a lyric from the third person to the first: There is glory in such little adjustments.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A whistleblower at the trust, who has raised concerns about maternity, also said they were pleased he'd gone.

Read more on BBC

"If any abnormal deaths or suspected animal infections are found among pigs, please immediately report them to the local animal quarantine authorities," Lai said in a Facebook post.

Read more on Barron's

Spurs certainly did not produce a performance to please their supporters who made the trip to Monaco, populating one corner of a stadium that is more about architecture than atmosphere.

Read more on BBC

And this is how Democrats keep landing on the wrong side of 80/20 issues: policies that please a loud activist minority but repel a bipartisan majority.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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