pleasurable

adjective

plea·​sur·​able ˈplezh-rə-bəl How to pronounce pleasurable (audio)
ˈplāzh-;
ˈple-zhə-,
ˈplā-
: causing a feeling of pleasure or enjoyment : pleasant
a pleasurable sensation
pleasurable emotions
the pleasurable effects of a drug
There aren't many more pleasurable activities than shaking your thing in the streets, surrounded by all the sights and sounds of the carnival.Time Out
The movie takes you away, and much of the trip is a pleasurable experience, with dazzling visuals, a bright score coupled with insanely catchy pop tunes, and a charismatic cast.Ed Johnson-Ott
pleasurability
ˌplezh-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce pleasurable (audio)
ˌplāzh-;
ˌple-zhə-
ˌplā-
noun
The right varietals and blends take spicy, umami and sweet Asian flavors to an entirely new level of pleasurability for guests … Mary Melton
pleasurableness
ˈplezh-rə-bəl-nəs How to pronounce pleasurable (audio)
ˈplāzh-;
ˈple-zhə-
ˈplā-
noun
… we can attest to the pleasurableness of the New England clam chowder … Frank Cohen
pleasurably
ˈplezh-rə-blē How to pronounce pleasurable (audio)
ˈplāzh-;
ˈple-zhə-
ˈplā-
adverb
Have you ever dug your feet into the warm, soft surface of a white sand beach? Felt the fine, dry grains slide pleasurably between your toes? Rafi Letzter

Examples of pleasurable in a Sentence

a pleasurable hot bath after a tiring day a number of pleasurable additions to the state fair this year
Recent Examples on the Web This is normally a pleasurable, social transit for you that provides a satisfying sense of connection and puts you in rooms full of interesting, like-minded people. Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2024 While light therapy and exercise can alleviate symptoms, an easier (and definitely more pleasurable) way to lift your spirits is through travel. Katie Chang, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 Fierce attitudes are pleasurable, even in the absence of forward movement. Jonathan Franzen, The New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2023 Many of the most pleasurable scenes take place when the drivers (played by, among others, Gabriel Leone, Jack O’Connell and Patrick Dempsey) are hard at work and barreling around a track or down an ominously empty country lane, as in a climactic open-road event called the Mille Miglia. Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2023 Continue communicating and checking in with your partner during intercourse to create a pleasurable experience. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 21 Sep. 2023 Venus enters Sagittarius on the 29th, which sets you up for four weeks of bonding with your best friends, siblings, and cousins, as well as pleasurable weekend trips out of town. Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Nov. 2023 Talking to Sigrid Nunez, much like reading Sigrid Nunez, is deeply pleasurable, immediately intimate. Lynn Steger Strong, Los Angeles Times, 15 Nov. 2023 The vibe of the movie sits in the general Mary Poppins area, but the light touch that made King’s previous two features so pleasurable is in short supply. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Dec. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pleasurable was in 1557

Dictionary Entries Near pleasurable

Cite this Entry

“Pleasurable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pleasurable. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pleasurable

adjective
plea·​sur·​able ˈplezh-(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce pleasurable (audio)
ˈplāzh-
pleasurably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on pleasurable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!