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Definition of pleasure - 6 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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Pleasure

Pleas"ure\, n. [F. plaisir, originally an infinitive. See Please.]

1. The gratification of the senses or of the mind; agreeable sensations or emotions; the excitement, relish, or happiness produced by the expectation or the enjoyment of something good, delightful, or satisfying; -- opposed to pain, sorrow, etc.

At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. --Ps. xvi. 11.

2. Amusement; sport; diversion; self-indulgence; frivolous or dissipating enjoyment; hence, sensual gratification; -- opposed to labor, service, duty, self-denial, etc. "Not sunk in carnal pleasure." --Milton.

He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man. --Prov. xxi. 17.

Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. --2 Tim. iii. 4.

3. What the will dictates or prefers as gratifying or satisfying; hence, will; choice; wish; purpose. "He will do his pleasure on Babylon." --Isa. xlviii. 14.

Use your pleasure; if your love do not presuade you to come, let not my letter. --Shak.

4. That which pleases; a favor; a gratification. --Shak.

Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure --Acts xxv. 9.

At pleasure, by arbitrary will or choice. --Dryden.

To take pleasure in, to have enjoyment in. --Ps. cxlvii. 11.

Note: Pleasure is used adjectively, or in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, pleasure boat, pleasure ground; pleasure house, etc.

Syn: Enjoyment; gratification; satisfaction; comfort; solace; joy; gladness; delight; will; choice; preference; purpose; command; favor; kindness.

Pleasure

Pleas"ure\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pleasured; p. pr. & vb. n. Pleasuring.] To give or afford pleasure to; to please; to gratify. --Shak.

[Rolled] his hoop to pleasure Edith. --Tennyson.

Pleasure

Pleas"ure\, v. i. To take pleasure; to seek pursue pleasure; as, to go pleasuring.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : pleasure
Spanish: placer,
German: das Vergnügen,
Japanese: 楽しみ
More Translations »

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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