pleasure

[plezh-er]

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

/ 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)

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pleasure¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of pleasure¹

C14 plesir, from Old French; related to Old French plaisir to _please

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

So much about “Landman” is improbable if not just plain wrong, two hallmarks of TV shows we may have once described as guilty pleasures.

Read more on Salon

Perhaps the greatest pleasure of the nonlinear narrative lies in its awareness of the complexities and sheer absurdities that shape every human’s existence.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The human brain is wired to reward short-term pleasure over longer-term goals, Preston said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

One suspects instead that the “Panorama” report was created solely to tickle the emotional pleasure centers of the journalists involved and the liberals among their audience.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Gen Z, in its infinite ability to rehabilitate the uncool, has decided that porridge is pleasure.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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