DictionaryAI

pleasure

PLEZH-ur/ˈplɛʒɚ/UKPLEZH-uh/ˈplɛʒə/

Pluralpleasures (some meanings)

8 meanings of pleasure

Practice

  1. 1
    glad feelingnoununcountable
    A happy feeling you get when you enjoy something.

    Like the warm, happy feeling you get from your favorite food.

    Reading by the fire gives me a lot of pleasure.

    The dog wagged its tail with pleasure when she came home.

    UsageSay take pleasure in something. With pleasure! is a happy way to say yes.

    Similarhappiness, satisfaction, delight, gratification, gladness

    Oppositepain, displeasure

  2. 2
    nouncountable
    Something or someone that makes you happy or that you enjoy.

    Ice cream on a hot day is a real pleasure.

    Her grandchildren are the biggest pleasures in her life.

    UsageSay it's a pleasure to meet you. More than one: life's little pleasures.

    Similarjoy, delight, indulgence

    Oppositechore

    Note
  3. 3
    interjection
    A friendly way to answer 'thank you' or to say you are happy to meet someone.

    'Thanks for the ride.' 'My pleasure!'

    'Pleasure to meet you,' she said with a big smile.

    UsageSay my pleasure after someone thanks you, and pleasure to meet you when you meet.

  4. 4
    sexual enjoymentnoununcountable
    Enjoyment or good feelings that are sexual.

    Talking openly can help a couple share more pleasure in their sex life.

    Sex should bring pleasure, not pain, the doctor explained.

  5. 5
    wishnoununcountable
    What someone wants or would like, including what a person in charge wants.

    'What's your pleasure, apple pie or chocolate cake?' Grandma asked.

    Go by bus or by train, whatever your pleasure.

    UsageWhat's your pleasure? asks what someone wants. At someone's pleasure means as that person decides.

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 6
    verbdatedintransitive
    To spend time enjoying yourself or having fun.

    Similarrevel, delight

    Note
  2. 7
    satisfy sexuallyverbtransitive
    To give someone good feelings during sex.

    She told him what she liked so he could pleasure her.

    The magazine article gives tips on how partners can pleasure each other.

  3. 8
    make happyverbtransitive
    To make someone feel happy, pleased, or satisfied.

    Few things pleasure her more than a warm, sunny day.

    The bright flower garden pleasured visitors all summer long.

    UsageThis can sound sexual today. Use please instead.

    Similarplease, gratify, satisfy

    Oppositedisplease, annoy, irritate

    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of pleasure apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from an old French word for 'to please', which came from Latin placeo meaning 'to please'.

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

  • Pleasure comes from Old French plesir/plaisir, meaning 'to please', used as a noun. en.wiktionary.org
  • The Old French word derives from Latin placeo, meaning 'to please'. en.wiktionary.org