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Definition of pleasure - 3 dictionary results

pleas⋅ure

  [plezh-er] noun, verb, -ured, -ur⋅ing.
Use pleasure in a Sentence
–noun
1. the state or feeling of being pleased.
2. enjoyment or satisfaction derived from what is to one's liking; gratification; delight.
3. worldly or frivolous enjoyment: the pursuit of pleasure.
4. recreation or amusement; diversion; enjoyment: Are you traveling on business or for pleasure?
5. sensual gratification.
6. a cause or source of enjoyment or delight: It was a pleasure to see you.
7. pleasurable quality: the pleasure of his company.
8. one's will, desire, or choice: to make known one's pleasure.
–verb (used with object)
9. to give pleasure to; gratify; please.
–verb (used without object)
10. to take pleasure; delight: I pleasure in your company.
11. to seek pleasure, as by taking a holiday.
Origin:
1325–75; late ME (see please, -ure ); r. ME plaisir < MF (n. use of inf.) < L placēre to please

Related forms:
pleas⋅ure⋅ful, adjective
pleas⋅ure⋅less, adjective
pleas⋅ure⋅less⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. happiness, gladness, delectation. Pleasure, enjoyment, delight, joy refer to the feeling of being pleased and happy. Pleasure is the general term: to take pleasure in beautiful scenery. Enjoyment is a quiet sense of well-being and pleasurable satisfaction: enjoyment at sitting in the shade on a warm day. Delight is a high degree of pleasure, usually leading to active expression of it: delight at receiving a hoped-for letter. Joy is a feeling of delight so deep and so lasting that one radiates happiness and expresses it spontaneously: joy at unexpected good news. 5. voluptuousness. 8. preference, wish, inclination, predilection.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To pleasure
pleas·ure   (plězh'ər)   
n.  

  1. The state or feeling of being pleased or gratified.

  2. A source of enjoyment or delight: The graceful skaters were a pleasure to watch.

  3. Amusement, diversion, or worldly enjoyment: "Pleasure . . . is a safer guide than either right or duty" (Samuel Butler).

  4. Sensual gratification or indulgence.

  5. One's preference or wish: What is your pleasure?

v.   pleas·ured, pleas·ur·ing, pleas·ures

v.   tr.
To give pleasure or enjoyment to; gratify: Our host pleasured us with his company.
v.   intr.

  1. To take pleasure; delight: The hiker paused, pleasuring in the sounds of the forest.

  2. To go in search of pleasure or enjoyment.


[Middle English, from Old French plaisir, from plaisir, to please; see please.]
pleas'ure·less adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

pleasure  (n.)
1390, "condition of enjoyment," from O.Fr. plesir "enjoyment, delight" (12c.), from plaisir (v.) "to please," from L. placere (see please (v.)). Ending alt. in Eng. 14c. by infl. of words in -ure (measure, etc.). Meaning "sensual enjoyment as the chief object of life" is attested from 1526. The verb meaning "to give pleasure to" is recorded from c.1559; sexual sense by c.1616.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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