pleasure

noun

plea·sure | \ ˈple-zhər

, ˈplā-

Definition of pleasure

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : desire, inclination wait upon his pleasure— William Shakespeare

2 : a state of gratification

3a : sensual gratification

b : frivolous amusement

4 : a source of delight or joy

pleasure

verb

pleasured; pleasuring\ ˈplezh-riŋ

, ˈplāzh- ; ˈple-zhə- , ˈplā- \

Definition of pleasure (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to give pleasure to : gratify

2 : to give sexual pleasure to

intransitive verb

1 : to take pleasure : delight

2 : to seek pleasure

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about pleasure

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Choose the Right Synonym for pleasure

Noun

pleasure, joy, and enjoyment mean the agreeable feeling that accompanies getting something good or much wanted. pleasure is used for a feeling of happiness or satisfaction that may not be shown openly. He took pleasure in helping others. joy is used for a radiant feeling that is very strong. Hers is a life filled with joy. enjoyment is used for a conscious reaction to something intended to make a person happy. The songs added to our enjoyment of the movie.

Examples of pleasure in a Sentence

Noun

I paint for the sheer pleasure of it. His grandparents took great pleasure in seeing him graduate from college. Is this trip for business or pleasure? It is a special pleasure for me to be here with you today. Now I can enjoy the simple pleasures of life, like spending time with my family.

Verb

a wine that is sure to pleasure even the most discriminating palate

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

One thing that gives me great pleasure is seeing a therapist. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "She needed self care. Fast," 21 June 2019 But Lawrence takes pleasure in confusing those around him, pivoting between wry banter with June, newly assigned to his home as Handmaid, and barking orders at cowering Marthas. — Julie Kosin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Bradley Whitford Is More Confused By His Handmaid's Tale Character Than You," 20 June 2019 Christopher Jerome Endicott described himself in court Monday as a narcissist who subconsciously took pleasure in his crimes. — Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, "Former Lakeville principal sentenced to 8 1/2 years in prison," 17 June 2019 Cuban spoke highly of owner Jeanie Buss despite taking pleasure in the Lakers' struggles. — Alaa Abdeldaiem, SI.com, "Mark Cuban on the Lakers: 'The More Screwed Up They Are, the Happier I Am'," 5 June 2019 Learning to take pleasure in the idea of ourselves not as winners, but as ordinary folks who are continuously flailing in the face of challenges, is a counterintuitive practice. — Sarah Todd, Quartz at Work, "The Netflix baking competition “Nailed It” teaches us how to find joy in failure," 3 June 2019 The planet of love and beauty, Venus, enters Gemini on Saturday, June 8, bringing pleasure and lightheartedness into your relationships. — Randon Rosenbohm, Allure, "What June's Sagittarius Horoscope Predictions Mean for You," 29 May 2019 Here’s a few more of my picks for your summer reading pleasure. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "9 mysteries and thrillers to give you an adrenaline rush this summer," 7 June 2019 The feeling brought on, not by tenderness, as from caress, but by the body having no choice but to accommodate pain by dulling it into an impossible, radiating pleasure. — Viet Thanh Nguyen, Time, "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous," 6 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Sometimes, Winslow would pleasure himself at his locker or in his hotel room on team road trips. — cleveland.com, "Kellen Winslow Jr.’s disturbing behavior began early in pro career, Sports Illustrated article says," 14 June 2019 Hell, the only mistress he’d had, years ago, hadn’t figured out how to pleasure him like this. — Eliza Thompson, Cosmopolitan, "Eloisa James Shares a Steamy Excerpt From Her New Book Too Wilde to Wed," 9 Jan. 2018 After all, there’s room for only one man in this administration who has the ability to pleasure himself. — Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, "Critic's Notebook: The Mooch Admits He Made an "Unforced Error" in First TV Interview," 13 Aug. 2017

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