Pleasantry — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈple-zᵊn-trē/ pleas·ant·ry

Meaning & Definition of Pleasantry

Pleasantry (noun)

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

Pleasantry (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: 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 Pleasantry

The most common words with a similar meaning to Pleasantry:

Chiefly British: giggle
Slang: yuk
amenity, attention, civility, courtesy, formality, gesture, politeness, boff, boffola, crack, drollery, funny, gag, jape, jest, joke, josh, laugh, nifty, one-liner, quip, rib, sally, waggery, wisecrack, witticism

Related Words for Pleasantry

honors, ceremony, observance, rite, ritual, decorum, etiquette, form, manners, mores, proprieties, addresses, devoirs, greetings, regards, respects, favor, grace, kindliness, kindness, protocol, rules, funning, joking, wisecracking, knee-slapper, panic, riot, scream, thigh-slapper

Word Forms of Pleasantry

Inflections: pleasantries

Origin & Etymology of Pleasantry

First known use: 1594

Frequently Asked Questions about Pleasantry

What does "Pleasantry" mean?

"Pleasantry" 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 "Pleasantry"?

Other words for "Pleasantry" include amenity, attention, civility, courtesy, formality, gesture, politeness and boff. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Pleasantry" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Pleasantry"?

There are 88 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Pleasantry". Common alternatives include amenity, attention, civility, courtesy, formality, gesture, politeness, boff, boffola and crack.

How do you use "Pleasantry" in a sentence?

Examples of "Pleasantry" 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 "Pleasantry" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Pleasantry" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Pleasantry"?

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

What is the origin of the word "Pleasantry"?

First known use: 1594.

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

When "Pleasantry" (noun) means an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners, synonyms include amenity, attention, civility, courtesy, formality and gesture.