please

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verb

ˈplēz

pleased; pleasing

Synonyms of please next

intransitive verb

: to afford or give pleasure or satisfaction

: like, wish

do as you please

archaic : to have the kindness

will you please to enter the carriage—

Charles Dickens

transitive verb

: to give pleasure to : gratify

: to be the will or pleasure of

may it please Your Majesty

please

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adverb

—used as a function word to express politeness or emphasis in a request

please come in

—used as a function word to express polite affirmation

like some tea? Please

—used as a function word to express scornful disagreement, disapproval, or disbelief

you believe that? Oh, please

Examples of please in a Sentence

Verb He joined the football team to please his father. Her parents were pleased by her decision. It pleases me to know that you liked the gift. They're very hard to please.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Ninja Knife Set, $129.99, Amazon Every home cook knows a good knife set is essential, and this Ninja product might please the foodie or home chef in your personal circle. —

Jené Luciani Sena, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2023 His recipes will satisfy more adventurous eaters while also pleasing the eye. —

Kendra Nordin Beato, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Nov. 2023 The company reported better-than-expected profit and subscriber numbers, as well as an aggressive cost-cutting plan that pleased investors. —

Byrachyl Jones, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2023 As the story goes, Johnson returned to the writer's room with that feedback and developed a new script featuring a strong female lead that undoubtedly pleased Payne. —

Courtney Young, Peoplemag, 5 Nov. 2023 For the little ones, the Nuna Demi Grow Stroller is a whopping $350 off at Nordstrom, while a 46% off Lego brick box will please the school-age crowd. —

Phoebe Sklansky, Parents, 3 Nov. 2023 In some ways, that solution makes sense; Victoria’s Secret angels represented an unattainable level of beauty to aspire to, but returning to the old fashion show may only lead back to the original problem—women strutting down a stage in lingerie to please men. —

Paige Hagy, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2023 Ancient Celts felt the need to please the dead in order to ensure that their population and livestock did not die during the harsh winter, so plates of food were set at the dinner table to welcome them home. —

Mira Ptacin, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2023 Is their ambivalence towards Israel an attempt to please their host nations? —

Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 17 Oct. 2023

Adverb

Naturally, during the 113 years those bells have hung in Mitchell Tower, there have been Hyde Park residents asking if these (expletive) change ringers would please stop. —

Christopher Borrelli, chicagotribune.com, 23 Dec. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'please.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English plesen, from Anglo-French plaisir, pleisir, pleire, from Latin placēre; akin to Latin placare to placate and perhaps to Greek plak-, plax flat surface — more at fluke entry 2

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Adverb

1771, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of please was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century