If something gives you pleasure, you get a feeling of happiness, satisfaction, or enjoyment from it.
Watching sport gave him great pleasure.
Everybody takes pleasure in eating. [+ in]
He gets huge pleasure from ballet and contemporary dance.
[Also + from]
2. uncountable noun
Pleasure is the activity of enjoying yourself, especially rather than working or doing what you have a duty to do.
He mixed business and pleasure in a perfect and dynamic way.
I read for pleasure.
3. countable noun
A pleasure is an activity, experience or aspect of something that you find very enjoyable or satisfying.
Watching TV is our only pleasure.
...the pleasure of seeing a smiling face. [+ of]
...the conveniences and pleasures of modern life.
Synonyms: amusement, joy, recreation, diversion More Synonyms of pleasure
4.
See a pleasure/the pleasure
5.
See It's a pleasure/my pleasure
6.
See with pleasure
More Synonyms of pleasure
pleasure in British English
(ˈplɛʒə)
noun
1.
an agreeable or enjoyable sensation or emotion
the pleasure of hearing good music
2.
something that gives or affords enjoyment or delight
his garden was his only pleasure
3.
a.
amusement, recreation, or enjoyment
b.
(as modifier)
a pleasure boat
pleasure ground
4. euphemistic
sexual gratification or enjoyment
he took his pleasure of her
5.
a person's preference or choice
verb
6. (whenintr, often foll by in)
to give pleasure to or take pleasure (in)
Derived forms
pleasureful (ˈpleasureful)
adjective
pleasureless (ˈpleasureless)
adjective
Word origin
C14 plesir, from Old French; related to Old French plaisir to please
pleasure in American English
(ˈplɛʒər)
noun
1.
a pleased feeling; enjoyment; delight; satisfaction
2.
one's wish, will, or choice
what is your pleasure?
3.
a thing that gives delight or satisfaction
4.
gratification of the senses; sensual satisfaction
5.
amusement; fun
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈpleasured or ˈpleasuring
6.
to give pleasure to, now specif., sexually
7.
to have sexual intercourse with
verb intransitive
8.
to take pleasure (in)
SYNONYMY NOTE: pleasure is the general term for an agreeable feeling of satisfaction, ranging from a quietsense of gratification to a positive sense of happiness; , delight implies a high degree of obvious pleasure, openly and enthusiastically expressed[a child's delight with a new toy]; joy describes a keenly felt, exuberant, often demonstrative happiness [their joy at his safe return]; enjoyment suggests a somewhat more quiet feeling of satisfaction with that which pleases [our enjoyment of the recital]
Tube passengers consistently tell us how much pleasure they get from this simple idea.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There is a small harbour handling ferries and pleasure boats.
The Sun (2007)
No one can possibly take any pleasure in the destruction that construction can cause.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Cooking is one of the pleasures of my life.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Writing of this calibre is a pleasure too good to spoil.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Much more accessible to the public were the concerts in the pleasure gardens themselves.
Judith Flanders Consuming Passions: Leisure and Pleasure in Victorian Britain (2006)
You are ready to claim your fair share in business or pleasure.
The Sun (2012)
Not simply a means to obtain pleasure and enjoyment?
Miller, James The Passion of Michel Foucault (1993)
She took no more pleasure or delight in the world.
Kishlansky, Mark A. (editor) Sources of the West: Readings in Western Civilization, Volume 1: From the Beginningto 1715 (1995)
Going to the cinema alone is a real guilty pleasure.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
We need outside help to experience real pleasure.
Christianity Today (2000)
You could see the pleasure in his face.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We confuse happiness with pleasure and contentment.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
You experiment, venturing into new areas of activity and pleasure.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Quotations
Everyone is dragged on by their favourite pleasureVirgilEclogue
Pleasure's a sin, and sometimes sin's a pleasureLord ByronDon Juan
Sweet is pleasure after painJohn DrydenAlexander's Feast
The rapturous, wild, and ineffable pleasure Of drinking at somebody else's expenseHenry Sambrooke LeighCarols of Cockayne
Pleasure is nothing else but the intermission of painJohn SeldenTable Talk
One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the otherJane AustenEmma
In other languages
pleasure
British English: pleasure /ˈplɛʒə/ NOUN
If something gives you pleasure, you get a feeling of happiness, satisfaction, or enjoyment from it.
Everybody takes pleasure in eating.
American English: pleasure
Arabic: سُرور
Brazilian Portuguese: prazer
Chinese: 愉快
Croatian: zadovoljstvo
Czech: potěšení
Danish: fornøjelse
Dutch: plezier
European Spanish: placer
Finnish: ilo
French: plaisir
German: Vergnügen
Greek: ευχαρίστηση
Italian: piacere
Japanese: 楽しみ
Korean: 기쁨
Norwegian: fornøyelse
Polish: przyjemność
European Portuguese: prazer
Romanian: plăcere
Russian: удовольствие
Latin American Spanish: placer
Swedish: nöje
Thai: ความปิติยินดี
Turkish: zevk
Ukrainian: задоволення
Vietnamese: thú vui
Translate your text for free
All related terms of 'pleasure'
pleasure boat
A pleasure boat is a large boat which takes people for trips on rivers , lakes , or on the sea for pleasure.
pleasure dome
a large building, facility , or place used for recreation
pleasure trip
a trip for recreational purposes
pure pleasure
If something gives you pleasure , you get a feeling of happiness, satisfaction , or enjoyment from it.
with pleasure
You can say ' With pleasure ' as a polite way of saying that you are very willing to do something.
guilty pleasure
If something gives you pleasure , you get a feeling of happiness, satisfaction , or enjoyment from it.
pleasure craft
A pleasure craft is the same as a → pleasure boat .
pleasure cruise
a trip in a boat for recreational purposes
pleasure-loving
enjoying pleasure
pleasure-seeker
someone who always wants to have pleasure
sheer pleasure
If something gives you pleasure , you get a feeling of happiness, satisfaction , or enjoyment from it.
simple pleasure
If something gives you pleasure , you get a feeling of happiness, satisfaction , or enjoyment from it.
absolute pleasure
If something gives you pleasure , you get a feeling of happiness, satisfaction , or enjoyment from it.
enormous pleasure
If something gives you pleasure , you get a feeling of happiness, satisfaction , or enjoyment from it.
pleasure principle
the idea that psychological processes and actions are governed by the gratification of needs. It is seen as the governing process of the id , whereas the reality principle is the governing process of the ego
pleasure-seeking
always looking for pleasure
pleasure steamer
a boat powered by steam , used for recreational purposes
gold-of-pleasure
a yellow-flowered Eurasian plant, Camelina sativa, widespread as a weed , esp in flax fields, and formerly cultivated for its oil-rich seeds: family Brassicaceae ( crucifers )
a pleasure/the pleasure
If you meet someone for the first time, you can say , as a way of being polite , that it is a pleasure to meet them. You can also ask for the pleasure of someone's company as a polite and formal way of inviting them somewhere .
It's a pleasure/my pleasure
You can say ' It's a pleasure ' or ' My pleasure ' as a polite way of replying to someone who has just thanked you for doing something.
to have the dubious honour/pleasure/distinction of ...
令人怀(懷)疑的 ... 的荣(榮)誉(譽)/愉快/区(區)别(別) lìng rén huáiyí de ... de róngyù/yúkuài/qūbié
Mr and Mrs X request the pleasure of your company ...
( frm ) X先生和夫人敬请(請)您的大驾(駕)光临(臨) ... X xiānsheng hé fūrén jìng qǐng nín de dàjià guānglín ...
1 (noun)
Definition
a feeling of happiness and contentment
We exclaimed with pleasure when we saw them.
Synonyms
happiness
I think she was looking for happiness.
delight
To my delight, the plan worked perfectly.
satisfaction
She felt a small glow of satisfaction.
enjoyment
She ate with great enjoyment.
bliss
It was a scene of such domestic bliss.
gratification
Eventually they recognized him, much to his gratification.
contentment
I cannot describe the feeling of contentment that was with me at that time.
gladness
delectation (formal)
She cooks pastries and cakes for the delectation of visitors.
Opposites
suffering
,
pain
,
anger
,
misery
,
sadness
,
sorrow
,
unhappiness
,
displeasure
2 (noun)
Definition
something that gives enjoyment
Watching TV is our only pleasure.
Synonyms
amusement
It's unacceptable to keep animals confined for our amusement.
joy
Salter shouted with joy.
recreation
Saturday afternoon is for recreation and outings.
diversion
Finger-painting is an excellent diversion.
solace
jollies (slang)
beer and skittles (informal, old-fashioned)
Opposites
labour
,
duty
,
obligation
,
necessity
,
abstinence
3 (noun)
Definition
a person's preference
Let me buy you a treat. What's your pleasure?
Synonyms
wish
Clearly she had no wish for his company.
choice
If I had any choice in the matter, I wouldn't have gone.
desire
I had a strong desire to help and care for people.
will
He was forced to leave the country against his will.
mind
They could interpret it that way if they'd a mind to.
option
He was jailed for thirty days without the option of a fine.
preference
Whatever your preference, we have a product to suit you.
inclination
He had neither the time nor the inclination to think about it.
idiom
See take pleasure in something
phrase
See with pleasure
related words
related maniahedonomania
related phobiahedonophobia
Quotations
Everyone is dragged on by their favourite pleasure [Virgil – Eclogue]Pleasure's a sin, and sometimes sin's a pleasure [Lord Byron – Don Juan]Sweet is pleasure after pain [John Dryden – Alexander's Feast]The rapturous, wild, and ineffable pleasure Of drinking at somebody else's expense [Henry Sambrooke Leigh – Carols of Cockayne]Pleasure is nothing else but the intermission of pain [John Selden – Table Talk]One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other [Jane Austen – Emma]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bliss
Definition
perfect happiness
It was a scene of such domestic bliss.
Synonyms
joy,
ecstasy,
euphoria,
rapture,
nirvana,
felicity,
gladness,
blissfulness,
delight,
pleasure,
heaven (informal),
satisfaction,
happiness,
paradise
in the sense of choice
Definition
an alternative action or possibility
If I had any choice in the matter, I wouldn't have gone.
Synonyms
option,
say,
alternative
in the sense of contentment
I cannot describe the feeling of contentment that was with me at that time.
Synonyms
satisfaction,
peace,
content,
ease,
pleasure,
comfort,
happiness,
fulfilment,
gratification,
serenity,
equanimity,
gladness,
repletion,
contentedness
Synonyms of 'pleasure'
pleasure
Explore 'pleasure' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of delectation
Definition
great pleasure and enjoyment
She cooks pastries and cakes for the delectation of visitors.
Synonyms
enjoyment,
delight,
pleasure,
entertainment,
satisfaction,
happiness,
relish,
amusement,
diversion,
refreshment,
gratification
in the sense of delight
Definition
extreme pleasure
To my delight, the plan worked perfectly.
Synonyms
pleasure,
joy,
satisfaction,
comfort,
happiness,
ecstasy,
enjoyment,
bliss,
felicity,
glee,
gratification,
rapture,
gladness
in the sense of desire
Definition
a wish or longing
I had a strong desire to help and care for people.
Synonyms
wish,
want,
longing,
need,
hope,
urge,
yen (informal),
hunger,
appetite,
aspiration,
ache,
craving,
yearning,
inclination,
thirst,
hankering
in the sense of diversion
Definition
a pleasant or amusing pastime or activity
Finger-painting is an excellent diversion.
Synonyms
pastime,
play,
game,
sport,
delight,
pleasure,
entertainment,
hobby,
relaxation,
recreation,
enjoyment,
distraction,
amusement,
gratification,
divertissement,
beguilement
in the sense of enjoyment
She ate with great enjoyment.
Synonyms
pleasure,
liking,
fun,
delight,
entertainment,
joy,
satisfaction,
happiness,
relish,
recreation,
amusement,
indulgence,
diversion,
zest,
gratification,
gusto,
gladness,
delectation (formal),
beer and skittles (informal)
in the sense of gladness
Synonyms
happiness,
delight,
pleasure,
joy,
animation,
felicity,
glee,
high spirits,
mirth,
gaiety,
hilarity,
cheerfulness,
jollity,
joyousness,
blitheness
in the sense of gratification
Eventually they recognized him, much to his gratification.
Synonyms
satisfaction,
delight,
pleasure,
joy,
thrill,
relish,
enjoyment,
glee,
kick or kicks (informal)
in the sense of inclination
Definition
a liking, tendency, or preference
He had neither the time nor the inclination to think about it.
Synonyms
desire,
longing,
wish,
need,
aspiration,
craving,
yearning,
hankering
in the sense of joy
Definition
deep happiness and contentment
Salter shouted with joy.
Synonyms
delight,
pleasure,
triumph,
satisfaction,
happiness,
ecstasy,
enjoyment,
bliss,
transport,
euphoria,
festivity,
felicity,
glee,
exuberance,
rapture,
elation,
exhilaration,
radiance,
gaiety (old-fashioned),
jubilation,
hilarity,
exaltation,
ebullience (old-fashioned),
exultation,
gladness,
joyfulness,
ravishment
in the sense of mind
Definition
an intention or desire
They could interpret it that way if they'd a mind to.
Synonyms
intention,
will,
wish,
desire,
urge,
fancy,
purpose,
leaning,
bent,
notion,
tendency,
inclination,
disposition
Additional synonyms
in the sense of option
Definition
the power or liberty to choose
He was jailed for thirty days without the option of a fine.
Synonyms
choice,
alternative,
selection,
preference,
freedom of choice,
power to choose,
election
in the sense of preference
Definition
a liking for one thing above the rest
Whatever your preference, we have a product to suit you.
Synonyms
liking,
wish,
taste,
desire,
bag (slang),
leaning,
bent,
bias,
cup of tea (informal),
inclination,
penchant,
fondness,
predisposition,
predilection,
proclivity (formal),
partiality
in the sense of recreation
Definition
an activity done for pleasure or relaxation
Saturday afternoon is for recreation and outings.
Synonyms
leisure,
play,
sport,
exercise,
fun,
relief,
pleasure,
entertainment,
relaxation,
enjoyment,
distraction,
amusement,
diversion,
refreshment,
beer and skittles (informal),
me-time
in the sense of satisfaction
Definition
the pleasure obtained from the fulfilment of a desire
She felt a small glow of satisfaction.
Synonyms
fulfilment,
pleasure,
achievement,
joy,
triumph,
happiness,
relish,
glee,
gratification,
pride,
complacency
in the sense of will
Definition
desire or wish
He was forced to leave the country against his will.