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

Example Sentences

a pleasurable hot bath after a tiring day a number of pleasurable additions to the state fair this year
Recent Examples on the Web The hours were long but as intense and pleasurable. Thinus Ferreira, Variety, 5 Feb. 2023 The best crossbow scopes are those that make sighting in a crossbow a pleasurable, efficient, and accurate experience. Tony Hansen, Field & Stream, 30 Jan. 2023 Video games were very pleasurable in the short term, addictive even. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 17 Dec. 2010 Also prepared at Starship are a variety of wholesomely creamy schmears that make tearing into a bagel even more pleasurable. Amanda Albee, Dallas News, 20 Jan. 2023 Why wouldn’t the minds of veterans, in their preternatural search for pleasure, simply make the nightmares stop in order to make room for other, more pleasurable mental acts? Time, 28 Dec. 2022 This stuff comes in a number of delectable flavors that will make working out more pleasurable. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2022 Asake was Afrobeats’ breakout star and deserved to be — Mr. Money with the Vibe was remarkably assured and deeply pleasurable. Rolling Stone, 27 Dec. 2022 Even if the metaphor is obvious, the movie is too well-rounded, and too pleasurable, to be reduced to easy symbolism. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 23 Dec. 2022 See More

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

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. 2023.

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

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