pleasantry

noun

pleas·​ant·​ry ˈple-zᵊn-trē 

plural pleasantries

1

: a humorous act or remark : jest

2

: an agreeable playfulness in conversation : banter

3

: a polite social remark

exchanged pleasantries

Synonyms

• gesture
• courtesy

Examples of pleasantry in a Sentence

“how are you” is merely a social pleasantry

his after-dinner speeches usually include the sort of gentle pleasantry that raises a chuckle

Recent Examples on the Web

The evening concluded with a celebratory toast and more pleasantries. —Essence, 14 Oct. 2025

Those transactional elements can be handled automatically, so human interactions can focus more on personal touches, pleasantries and handling any glitches that come up. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025

Then, as Chiefs receiver Juju Smith-Schuster extended his hand to exchange pleasantries, Branch reached out and struck him in the head, knocking the veteran WR to his knees. —Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025

Bryson DeChambeau and Tommy Fleetwood got into it on the 15th green, as caddies also began to share pleasantries following Justin Rose lining up a putt. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pleasantry

• peasantry

Kids Definition

pleasantry

noun

pleas·​ant·​ry ˈplez-ᵊn-trē 

plural pleasantries

1

: agreeable playfulness in conversation

2

a

: a humorous act or speech

b

: a light or casual polite remark