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

---

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

---

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 ( see 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

Some of those very same vistas may have inspired the works he rendered for our astoundment and pleasure on his show.

From Salon • May 2, 2026

So it’s a particular pleasure to watch Greater Futbol so deliciously roasted by “Twenty Twenty Six.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

"Smell has a really profound and pervasive effect on human health, so restoring it is not just for pleasure and safety but also for psychological well-being," Datta said.

From Science Daily • Apr. 30, 2026

Monahon, whose impressive list of works includes “The Good John Proctor,” is free-associating a bit too indulgently on the topics of eating and pleasure.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Gelifen nipped Mal in greeting and then crouched over a bowl of cream, his long tail twitching, his wings fluttering with pleasure.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell

Related Words

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