pleasure

¹plea·sure

noun \ˈple-zhər, ˈplā-\

Definition of PLEASURE

1

: desire, inclination <wait upon his pleasure — Shakespeare>

2

: a state of gratification

3

a : sensual gratification

b : frivolous amusement

4

: a source of delight or joy

Examples of PLEASURE

1. I paint for the sheer pleasure of it.
2. His grandparents took great pleasure in seeing him graduate from college.
3. Is this trip for business or pleasure?
4. It is a special pleasure for me to be here with you today.
5. Now I can enjoy the simple pleasures of life, like spending time with my family.

Origin of PLEASURE

Middle English plesure, alteration of plesir, from Anglo-French plaisir, from plaisir to please

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PLEASURE

Synonyms

content, contentedness, contentment, delectation, delight, enjoyment, gladness, gratification, happiness, relish, satisfaction

Antonyms

discontent, discontentedness, discontentment, displeasure, dissatisfaction, unhappiness

Related Words

afterglow; bliss, felicity, glee, gleefulness, joy, pleasance; amusement, diversion, entertainment; elatedness, elation, exhilaration, exultation, intoxication; ecstasy, euphoria, heaven, rapture; cheer, cheerfulness, exuberance, gaiety (also gayety), jollity, joyfulness, jubilation; joie de vivre; comfort, ease, restfulness

Near Antonyms

misery, sadness, unhappiness, wretchedness; anguish, desolation, joylessness, sorrow, woe; dejection, depression, despondency, dispiritedness, gloom, melancholy; aggravation, annoyance, exasperation, irritation, pique, vexation; anger, fury, rage; agitation, distress, disturbance, upset; discomfort, restlessness, uneasiness

Rhymes with PLEASURE

leisure, measure, treasure

²pleasure

verb

plea·suredplea·sur·ing \ˈplezh-riŋ, ˈplāzh-; ˈple-zhə-, ˈplā-\

Definition of PLEASURE

transitive verb

1

: to give pleasure to : gratify

2

: to give sexual pleasure to

intransitive verb

1

: to take pleasure : delight

2

: to seek pleasure

Examples of PLEASURE

1. <a wine that is sure to pleasure even the most discriminating palate>

First Known Use of PLEASURE

1537

Related to PLEASURE

Synonyms

agree (with), content, delight, feast, gas [slang], glad [archaic], gladden, gratify, please, rejoice, satisfy, suit, warm

Antonyms

displease

Related Words

appease, mollify, pacify, placate, soothe; assuage, quench, sate, satiate; excite, tickle, titillate; amuse, divert, entertain, treat; captivate, charm; galvanize, thrill; calm, comfort; cater (to), humor, indulge; coddle, mollycoddle, pamper, spoil

Near Antonyms

aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, chafe, cross, exasperate, gall, get, grate, irk, irritate, nettle, peeve, perturb, pique, put out, ruffle, vex; anger, enrage, incense, inflame (also enflame), infuriate, madden, outrage, rankle, rile, roil, steam up; provoke, rouse; agitate, distress, disturb, fret, upset; harass, harry, pester; affront, insult, offend

Rhymes with PLEASURE

brazier, glazier, grazier, leisure, measure, treasure