pleasurable

adjective

plea·​sur·​able ˈplezh-rə-bəl 

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 

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 

ˈplāzh-;

ˈple-zhə-, 

ˈplā-

noun

… we can attest to the pleasurableness of the New England clam chowder …

—Frank Cohen

pleasurably

ˈplezh-rə-blē 

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

Synonyms of pleasurable

• enjoyable
• pleasant
• delightful
• delicious
• pleasing
• nice
• satisfying
• sweet
• good

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

What Skiing for Her Looks Like Now My own skiing needs to be pleasant and fun and pleasurable. —Frederick Dreier, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026

An accidental rear-end collision is what brings Davis and Maya together in the first place—and their ensuing relationship, though not without its bumps, sends the story on some of its more pleasurable curves. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026

Such desires can persist even after the reward itself ceases to be pleasurable. —Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026

Taken together, these materials provide a film class in a box that couldn’t be more pleasurable — and, in its demonstration of how clever filmmakers respond to a censorious regime that’s out to silence them, couldn’t be more relevant or useful. —Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 5 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pleasurable

• measurable
• unmeasurable

Kids Definition

pleasurable

adjective

plea·​sur·​able ˈplezh-(ə-)rə-bəl 

ˈplāzh-

: pleasant sense 1

pleasurably

-blē 

adverb