please

verb

\ ˈplēz

pleased; pleasing

Definition of please

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to afford or give pleasure or satisfaction

2 : like, wish do as you please

3 archaic : to have the kindness will you please to enter the carriage— Charles Dickens

transitive verb

1 : to give pleasure to : gratify

2 : to be the will or pleasure of may it please Your Majesty

please

adverb

Definition of please (Entry 2 of 2)

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

2 —used as a function word to express polite affirmation like some tea? Please

3 —used as a function word to express scornful disagreement, disapproval, or disbelief you believe that? Oh, please

Other Words from please Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about please

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Synonyms & Antonyms for please

Synonyms: Verb

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

Antonyms: Verb

displease

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

Then the film shifts to teenager Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore), whose artistic inclinations don’t necessarily please his police officer father (Brian Tyree Henry). — Bryan Bishop, The Verge, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is dazzling, hilarious, and unique," 14 Dec. 2018 Anne, in poor health and perpetual petulance, is fussed over and not-so-subtly controlled by Lady Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz), a court noblewoman who’s learned that pleasing the queen (in every way) brings its own pleasures. — Moira Macdonald, The Seattle Times, "‘The Favourite’ review: an irresistibly nasty tale of lust, power and pet bunnies," 4 Dec. 2018 Cromwell, eager to please his royal master, produced what passed for evidence that Anne was guilty of adultery, which was regarded officially as treason. — Allan Massie, WSJ, "‘Thomas Cromwell: A Revolutionary Life’ Review: The King’s Fixer," 2 Nov. 2018 Honestly, there’s not much BTS could do that wouldn't please us, from enriching our vocabulary to making music history. — Sara Delgado, Teen Vogue, "Watch BTS Sing Their Favorite Songs from Shawn Mendes, Ariana Grande, and Dua Lipa," 17 Oct. 2018 One of the newcomers is Folan’s younger brother, Will, a sophomore receiver, a development Folan says is already pleasing their father, Seamus, to no end. — Jake Caccavaro, BostonGlobe.com, "For local football prospects, summer camp is serious stuff," 13 July 2018 This pleases Cash's girlfriend, Detroit (Tessa Thompson), an artist who makes ends meet as a sign-twirler outside businesses. — Bill Goodykoontz, azcentral, "Why you need to see surreal 'Sorry to Bother You'," 12 July 2018 His look of amazement is what Insatiable wants out of you — this is not a comedy aiming to please. — Rebecca Farley, refinery29.com, "How Insatiable Is Tackling Beauty Standards, One Joke At A Time," 10 July 2018 From the day One Direction formed, on the U.K. show The X Factor in 2010, he was cast as the smoldering background foil to the eager-to-please Harry Styles and Liam Payne. — Carrie Battan, GQ, "How Do You Explain Zayn?," 18 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'please.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.