pleasant

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

Synonyms of pleasant

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

Examples of pleasant in a Sentence

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

Yet, while Neemias Queta and Luka Garza have been pleasant surprises in the frontcourt, the Celtics had more need for a big man like Vučević than another guard like Simons. —Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026

But other people have described it as a pleasant experience. —Logan Smith, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026

Taking a break at the end of a day in London working with Florence, Heffington spoke to Billboard about the pleasant surprises working with Styles and Bad Bunny — and how both projects felt like a form of protest. —Rebecca Milzoff, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2026

Sitting at roughly 3,900 feet above sea level, the town benefits from cool mountain air and a consistently pleasant, springlike climate throughout the year. —Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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