pleasure

1 of 2

noun

plea·​sure ˈple-zhər  ˈplā- 

1

: desire, inclination

… wait upon his pleasure …

—William Shakespeare

2

: a state of gratification

I paint for the pleasure of it.

She takes pleasure in helping others.

"Would you do this for me?" "With pleasure." [=I would be happy to do it]

3

a

: sensual gratification

b

: frivolous amusement

business or pleasure

4

: a source of delight or joy

It's been a pleasure working with you.

"Thanks for your help." "It was my pleasure." [=I was happy to help]

Now I can enjoy the simple pleasures of life, like being with my family.

see also guilty pleasure

pleasure

2 of 2

verb

pleasured; pleasuring ˈplezh-riŋ 

ˈplāzh-;

ˈple-zhə-, 

ˈplā-

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 of pleasure

Noun

• enjoyment
• contentment
• satisfaction
• delight
• happiness
• content
• joy

Verb

• delight
• please
• satisfy
• warm
• thrill
• feast

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

All three stories feature the pleasure of visual contemplation—especially in alluring sequences in which the characters, arriving by car, gaze through the windshield and savor the sights along the road ahead. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025

Dopamine supports motivation, pleasure, and reward, and can improve focus and drive. —Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 22 Dec. 2025

Verb

And then there’s the woman herself, Perfidia Beverly Hills (played by Teyana Taylor), a Black revolutionary who mixes politics and pleasure with brash abandon. —Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2025

According to the Largo police report obtained by PEOPLE, on Feb. 26, 2020, Hay was at a warehouse in Los Angeles that housed racks of Biggie’s clothing when Combs allegedly began to pleasure himself beneath one of the slain rapper’s shirts. —Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 18 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English plesure, alteration of plesir, from Anglo-French plaisir, from plaisir to please

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1537, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing pleasure

• anti-pleasure
• at someone's pleasure
• at the pleasure of (someone)
• gold of pleasure
• guilty pleasure
• mix business with pleasure
• my pleasure
• pleasure craft
• pleasure dome
• pleasure principle
• take pleasure in
• takes pleasure
• what's your pleasure?
• with pleasure

Rhymes for pleasure

• leisure
• measure
• treasure
• countermeasure
• displeasure

Kids Definition

pleasure

noun

plea·​sure

ˈplezh-ər, 

ˈplāzh-

1

: a particular desire or purpose : inclination

what's your pleasure

2

: the feeling that comes when one's wishes are met

3

: a source of delight or joy