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

Amalia Ulman’s 2025 film Magic Farm, about an American team’s desperation to manufacture a viral trend in rural Argentina, is minor cringe for its pleasurable skewering of the attention economy. — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Just as the first drag of a cigarette hits better than the pulls that follow it, there’s a real chance that a lie down on a 2000T will never be as pleasurable as the first time. — Jaklin Romine oct. 15, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

There isn’t enough research yet to pair specific activities and symptoms, so experts recommend aiming for exercises that are pleasurable, manageable, and sustainable. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Ultron is the Oscar to Vision’s Felix, and their odd-couple bickering is the one truly pleasurable aspect of VisionQuest — Spader can do this kind of side-of-the-mouth snark in his sleep, and Bettany solidly lobs back the screwballs he gets served. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 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