pleasure

American  

[plezh-er] / ˈplɛʒ ər /

noun

1. the state or feeling of being pleased.

   Synonyms:

   delectation, gladness, happiness

2. enjoyment or satisfaction derived from what is to one's liking; gratification; delight.

3. worldly or frivolous enjoyment.

   the pursuit of pleasure.

4. recreation or amusement; diversion; enjoyment.

   Are you traveling on business or for pleasure?

5. sensual gratification.

   Synonyms:

   voluptuousness

6. a cause or source of enjoyment or delight.

   It was a pleasure to see you.

7. pleasurable quality.

   the pleasure of his company.

8. one's will, desire, or choice.

   to make known one's pleasure.

   Synonyms:

   predilection, inclination, wish, preference

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verb (used with object)

pleasured, pleasuring

1. to give pleasure to, especially sexually; gratify; please.

verb (used without object)

pleasured, pleasuring

1. to take pleasure; delight.

   I pleasure in your company.

2. to seek pleasure, as by taking a holiday.

pleasure British  

/ ˈplɛʒə /

noun

1. an agreeable or enjoyable sensation or emotion

   the pleasure of hearing good music

2. something that gives or affords enjoyment or delight

   his garden was his only pleasure

3. 1. amusement, recreation, or enjoyment

   2. ( as modifier )

      a pleasure boat

      pleasure ground

4. euphemistic sexual gratification or enjoyment

   he took his pleasure of her

5. a person's preference or choice

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verb

1. to give pleasure to or take pleasure (in)

Related Words

Pleasure, enjoyment, delight, joy refer to the feeling of being pleased and happy. Pleasure is the general term: to take pleasure in beautiful scenery. Enjoyment is a quiet sense of well-being and pleasurable satisfaction: enjoyment at sitting in the shade on a warm day. Delight is a high degree of pleasure, usually leading to active expression of it: delight at receiving a hoped-for letter. Joy is a feeling of delight so deep and so lasting that one radiates happiness and expresses it spontaneously: joy at unexpected good news.

Other Word Forms

• antipleasure noun
• pleasureful adjective
• pleasureless adjective
• pleasurelessly adverb

Etymology

Origin of pleasure

First recorded in 1325–75; late Middle English ( please, -ure ); replacing Middle English plaisir, from Middle French (noun use of infinitive), from Latin placēre “to please”

Explanation

Pleasure is a general term for good feelings. People get pleasure from eating, sleeping, watching TV, or anything else they enjoy. Pleasure is the opposite of pain. Pain feels bad, but pleasure feels good. People talk about sexual pleasure, but that's just one kind. People get pleasure from delicious foods, great movies, beautiful music, and all sorts of other things. Something as small as a comfortable chair and something as big as your candidate being elected President can bring pleasure. If you had a good time hosting your friends for lunch, you can tell them "It was a pleasure."

Example Sentences

But in games, the art lies precisely in how much pleasure is generated for the player.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

Finally, these are his late wife’s children too, and being able to support them this way in her absence must give him a lot of pleasure.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

I had the, yes, the pleasure of playing directly against fellow Hall members such as Deacon Jones, Buck Buchanon, Bobby Bell and Claude Humphrey, and a slew of other notable defensive linemen.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

It was not about coaxing the maximum possible pleasure out of a cut of meat.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

“It’s a pleasure, Nell,” this Miss Lawton said, and she smiled so warmly, I stopped my fussing and shook her hand.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

Related Words

• amusement
• bliss
• comfort
• contentment
• enjoyment
• gratification
• hobby
• joy
• luxury
• satisfaction
• thrill