pleasant

1 of 2

adjective

pleas·​ant ˈple-zᵊnt 

1

: having qualities that tend to give pleasure : agreeable

a pleasant day

2

: having or characterized by pleasing manners, behavior, or appearance

pleasantly adverb

pleasantness noun

pleasantness

2 of 2

noun

pleas·​ant·​ness

plural -es

1

: the quality or state of being pleasant

2

: the elementary feeling that is aroused by agreeable stimuli

Synonyms of pleasant

Adjective

• enjoyable
• delightful
• nice
• pleasing
• delicious
• sweet
• satisfying
• good
• welcome
• heavenly
• pleasurable

Examples of pleasant in a Sentence

Adjective

the pleasant smell of cookies baking in the oven

We had a pleasant conversation.

Our evening together was pleasant but not very exciting.

I didn't know you were coming. What a pleasant surprise!

Their new teacher seems pleasant enough.

a very pleasant young man

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Plus, there’s no aftertaste and the smell is actually pleasant, unlike vinegar or a harsher cleaning solution. — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 July 2026

Chemical sunscreens usually feel lighter, blend more easily and are more pleasant to wear day to day. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026

Sunday morning could be rather pleasant with lower humidity and temperatures in the low to mid 70's across the area. — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 30 July 2026

The visual is pleasant—a stadium-scale bubble bath—and the physical boop is not terrible either. — Claire Howorth, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English plesaunt, from Anglo-French plaisant, from present participle of plaisir

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pleasant

• peasant
• pheasant
• present
• omnipresent
• unpleasant

Kids Definition

pleasant

adjective

pleas·​ant ˈplez-ᵊnt 

1

: giving pleasure : agreeable

a pleasant day

2

: having or marked by pleasing manners, behavior, or appearance

the new teacher is very pleasant

pleasantly adverb

pleasantness noun