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

• pleasureless adjective
• pleasureful 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

It is very much a guilty pleasure of mine.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Not everyone sees fruity martinis as a guilty pleasure.

Read more on Salon

But niche pleasures, for those who partake in them, are often the keenest.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It’s the seeing, varied and brightly inexhaustible, that makes Welty’s letters such a sustaining pleasure.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"I have had the pleasure of meeting this family, they are fantastic people who give all they can back to the community," Ms McCole said.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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