Pleasure — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈple-zhər/ plea·sure

Meaning & Definition of Pleasure

Pleasure (noun)

  1. desire, inclination
  2. a state of gratification
  3. sensual gratification

Pleasure (verb)

  1. to give pleasure to, gratify
  2. to give sexual pleasure to
  3. to take pleasure, delight

Pleasure (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the feeling experienced when one's wishes are met

    "nothing gives me more pleasure than a hot meal after a long day"

    similar: content, contentedness, contentment, delectation, delight, enjoyment, gladness, gratification, happiness, relish, satisfaction
    related: afterglow, bliss, felicity, glee, gleefulness, joy, pleasance, amusement, diversion, entertainment, elatedness, elation, exhilaration, exultation, intoxication, ecstasy, euphoria, heaven, rapture, cheer, cheerfulness, exuberance, gaiety, jollity, joyfulness, jubilation, joie de vivre, comfort, ease, restfulness
    opposite: discontent, discontentedness, discontentment, displeasure, dissatisfaction, unhappiness
    near: misery, sadness, unhappiness, wretchedness, anguish, desolation, joylessness, sorrow, woe, dejection, depression, despondency, dispiritedness, gloom, melancholy, aggravation, annoyance, exasperation, irritation, pique, vexation, anger, fury, rage, agitation, distress, disturbance, upset, discomfort, restlessness, uneasiness

  2. a source of great satisfaction

    "the new car is a real pleasure to drive"

    similar: delectation, delight, feast, gas (slang), joy, kick, manna, treat
    related: amusement, diversion, entertainment, fun, recreation, comfort, relief, solace, gratification, indulgence, ambrosia

  3. someone or something that provides amusement or enjoyment

    "a good-humored girl who's a pleasure to be around"

    similar: delight, distraction, diversion, divertissement, entertainment, fun, recreation
    related: escape, pastime, time killer, binge, fling, frolic, gambol, lark, revel, rollick, romp, spree, frolicking, rollicking, carousing, conviviality, festivity, gaiety, hilarity, jollification, jollity, merrymaking, reveling, revelry, whoopee, picnic, laugh, riot, scream, activity, game
    opposite: bore, bummer, downer, drag
    near: killjoy, party pooper

Pleasure (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to give satisfaction to

    "a wine that is sure to pleasure even the most discriminating palate"

    similar: agree (with), content, delight, feast, gas (slang), glad (archaic), gladden, gratify, please, rejoice, satisfy, suit, warm
    related: appease, mollify, pacify, placate, soothe, assuage, quench, sate, satiate, excite, tickle, titillate, amuse, divert, entertain, treat, captivate, charm, galvanize, thrill, calm, comfort, cater (to), humor, indulge, coddle, mollycoddle, pamper, spoil
    opposite: displease
    near: aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, chafe, cross, exasperate, gall, get, grate, irk, irritate, nettle, peeve, perturb, pique, put out, ruffle, vex, anger, enrage, incense, inflame, infuriate, madden, outrage, rankle, rile, roil, steam up, provoke, rouse, agitate, distress, disturb, fret, upset, harass, harry, pester, affront, insult, offend

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Pleasure

The most common words with a similar meaning to Pleasure:

Slang: gas
Archaic: glad
content, contentedness, contentment, delectation, delight, enjoyment, gladness, gratification, happiness, relish, satisfaction, feast, joy, kick, manna, treat, distraction, diversion, divertissement, entertainment, fun, recreation, agree (with), gladden, gratify, please, rejoice, satisfy, suit, warm

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Pleasure

Words with the opposite meaning of Pleasure:

discontent, discontentedness, discontentment, displeasure, dissatisfaction, unhappiness, bore, bummer, downer, drag, displease

Related Words for Pleasure

afterglow, bliss, felicity, glee, gleefulness, pleasance, amusement, elatedness, elation, exhilaration, exultation, intoxication, ecstasy, euphoria, heaven, rapture, cheer, cheerfulness, exuberance, gaiety, jollity, joyfulness, jubilation, joie de vivre, comfort, ease, restfulness, relief, solace, indulgence

Near Antonyms of Pleasure

misery, sadness, wretchedness, anguish, desolation, joylessness, sorrow, woe, dejection, depression, despondency, dispiritedness, gloom, melancholy, aggravation, annoyance, exasperation, irritation, pique, vexation, anger, fury, rage, agitation, distress, disturbance, upset, discomfort, restlessness, uneasiness

Word Forms of Pleasure

Inflections: pleasured, pleasuring

Origin & Etymology of Pleasure

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

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Pleasure

Words & Phrases Containing Pleasure

pleasure dome, pleasure principle, pleasure craft, anti-pleasure, gold of pleasure, guilty pleasure, at someone's pleasure, at the pleasure of (someone)

Frequently Asked Questions about Pleasure

What does "Pleasure" mean?

"Pleasure" means desire, inclination. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: desire, inclination. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Pleasure"?

Other words for "Pleasure" include content, contentedness, contentment, delectation, delight, enjoyment, gladness and gratification. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Pleasure" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Pleasure"?

There are 119 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Pleasure". Common alternatives include content, contentedness, contentment, delectation, delight, enjoyment, gladness, gratification, happiness and relish.

What is the opposite of "Pleasure"?

Antonyms of "Pleasure" include discontent, discontentedness, discontentment, displeasure, dissatisfaction, unhappiness, bore and bummer. Near antonyms include misery, sadness, wretchedness and anguish.

How do you use "Pleasure" in a sentence?

Examples of "Pleasure" in a sentence: "nothing gives me more pleasure than a hot meal after a long day"; "the new car is a real pleasure to drive"; "a good-humored girl who's a pleasure to be around".

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

"Pleasure" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Pleasure" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Pleasure" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Pleasure"?

"Pleasure" is pronounced /ˈple-zhər/ and divided into syllables as plea·sure.