Pleasantries — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈple-zᵊn-trē/ pleas·ant·ry

Meaning & Definition of Pleasantries

Pleasantries (noun)

  1. a humorous act or remark, jest
  2. an agreeable playfulness in conversation, banter
  3. a polite social remark

Pleasantries (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners

    "how are you is merely a social pleasantry"

    similar: amenities, attentions, civilities, courtesies, formalities, gestures
    related: honors, ceremonies, observances, rites, rituals, decorums, etiquettes, forms, manners, mores, proprieties, addresses, devoirs, greetings, regards, respects, favors, graces, protocols, rules

  2. something said or done to cause laughter

    "his after-dinner speeches usually include the sort of gentle pleasantry that raises a chuckle"

    similar: boffolas, boffs, cracks, drolleries, funnies, gags, giggles (chiefly British), japes, jests, jokes, joshes, laughs, nifties, one-liners, quips, ribs, sallies, waggeries, wisecracks, witticisms, yuks (slang)
    related: knee-slappers, panics (slang), riots, screams, thigh-slappers, antics, buffooneries, capers, leg-pulls, monkeyshines, practical jokes, pranks, tricks, burlesques, caricatures, lampoons, mockeries, mocks, parodies, put-ons, riffs, banters, persiflages, railleries, repartees, comedies, humors, wits, wordplays

Related Entry: Pleasantry (noun)

Pleasantry is a different word from Pleasantries. The synonyms below are for pleasantry, not for pleasantries.

  1. an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners

    "how are you is merely a social pleasantry"

    similar: amenity, attention, civility, courtesy, formality, gesture, politeness
    related: honors, ceremony, observance, rite, ritual, decorum, etiquette, form, manners, mores, proprieties, addresses, devoirs, greetings, regards, respects, favor, grace, kindliness, kindness, protocol, rules

  2. something said or done to cause laughter

    "his after-dinner speeches usually include the sort of gentle pleasantry that raises a chuckle"

    similar: boff, boffola, crack, drollery, funny, gag, giggle (chiefly British), jape, jest, joke, josh, laugh, nifty, one-liner, quip, rib, sally, waggery, wisecrack, witticism, yuk (slang)
    related: funning, joking, wisecracking, knee-slapper, panic (slang), riot, scream, thigh-slapper, antic, buffoonery, caper, leg-pull, monkeyshine(s), practical joke, prank, trick, burlesque, caricature, lampoon, mock, mockery, parody, put-on, riff, banter, kidding, persiflage, raillery, repartee, drollness, facetiousness, funniness, hilariousness, humorousness, comedy, humor, wit, wordplay

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Pleasantries

The most common words with a similar meaning to Pleasantries:

Chiefly British: giggles
Slang: yuks
amenities, attentions, civilities, courtesies, formalities, gestures, boffolas, boffs, cracks, drolleries, funnies, gags, japes, jests, jokes, joshes, laughs, nifties, one-liners, quips, ribs, sallies, waggeries, wisecracks, witticisms

Related Words for Pleasantries

honors, ceremonies, observances, rites, rituals, decorums, etiquettes, forms, manners, mores, proprieties, addresses, devoirs, greetings, regards, respects, favors, graces, protocols, rules, knee-slappers, panics, riots, screams, thigh-slappers, antics, buffooneries, capers, leg-pulls, monkeyshines

Origin & Etymology of Pleasantries

First known use: 1594

Frequently Asked Questions about Pleasantries

What does "Pleasantries" mean?

"Pleasantries" means a humorous act or remark, jest. As a noun, it is defined as: a humorous act or remark, jest. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Pleasantries"?

Other words for "Pleasantries" include amenities, attentions, civilities, courtesies, formalities, gestures, boffolas and boffs. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Pleasantries" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Pleasantries"?

There are 76 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Pleasantries". Common alternatives include amenities, attentions, civilities, courtesies, formalities, gestures, boffolas, boffs, cracks and drolleries.

How do you use "Pleasantries" in a sentence?

Examples of "Pleasantries" in a sentence: "how are you is merely a social pleasantry"; "his after-dinner speeches usually include the sort of gentle pleasantry that raises a chuckle".

Is "Pleasantries" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Pleasantries" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Pleasantries"?

"Pleasantries" is pronounced /ˈple-zᵊn-trē/ and divided into syllables as pleas·ant·ry.

What is the origin of the word "Pleasantries"?

First known use: 1594.

What is another word for "Pleasantries" meaning "an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners"?

When "Pleasantries" (noun) means an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners, synonyms include amenities, attentions, civilities, courtesies, formalities and gestures.