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

Never a company to shy from sensationalism, the distributor emerged as the likely suitor for the director's latest bacchanal that stars Sofia Boutella as a dancer who finds pleasure in a no-rules forest orgy. — Thr Staff, The Hollywood Reporter, "What Matters in Hollywood Today," 14 May 2018 Youtuber cutlerylover got their hands on one and was kind enough to demonstrate the beauty in all its glory: And here, for your pleasure, is a brief overview of the beautiful blade in all its various transformations: Cool, right? — Eric Limer, Popular Mechanics, "This Transforming Russian Knife Is Bizarre and Brilliant," 22 Mar. 2019 In response, people were sad, and sometimes defiant, because eating cookie dough is one of the great pleasures of being alive, along with petting dogs. — Rachel Sugar, Vox, "2018 was a difficult year for cookies," 21 Dec. 2018 Reading in the bath is one of life's great pleasures; straining your arm muscles to keep the book out of the water is not. — Allure, "8 Things That Will Make Your Bath Unbelievably Better," 11 Sep. 2018 One of the great pleasures of imbibing in safe, comfy surroundings, whether alone or with similarly half-baked friends, is to watch movies. — Ed Symkus, BostonGlobe.com, "Pot’s legal in Massachusetts, so celebrate with some stoner flicks.," 28 June 2018 Style is a language, and to turn away from Suspiria‘s fuchsia-blood-splattered, art nouveau gothic bordello-a-go-go aesthetic is to deprive yourself of one of moviedom’s great visual pleasures. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, "The Artfully Made Hereditary Is the Latest Horror Film to Elevate the Genre," 7 June 2018 But on Wednesday night, Trump took the most pleasure in the primary defeat of House Democratic Caucus chairman Joe Crowley by 28-year-old socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. — Samuel Chamberlain, Fox News, "Trump, at ND rally, says keeping Senate in GOP hands 'the most important thing' after Kennedy retirement," 2 Oct. 2018 Rather than defend its own constitutional prerogatives, the Senate in past years has acquiesced in the politically expedient myth that its duty to approve or deny treaties can be discarded at the pleasure of the executive of the moment. — WSJ, "The Senate Cedes Its Authority on Climate," 26 Dec. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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.