pleasure
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pleas·ure
(plĕzh′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.
Idiom: 1. To take pleasure; delight: The hiker paused, pleasuring in the sounds of the forest.
2. To go in search of pleasure or enjoyment.
my pleasure
Used to acknowledge an expression of gratitude.
[Middle English, from Old French plaisir, from plaisir, to please; see please.]
pleas′ure·less adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
pleasure
(ˈplɛʒə)n
1. an agreeable or enjoyable sensation or emotion: the pleasure of hearing good music.
2. something that gives or affords enjoyment or delight: his garden was his only pleasure.
3.
a. amusement, recreation, or enjoyment
b. (as modifier): a pleasure boat; pleasure ground.
4. euphemistic sexual gratification or enjoyment: he took his pleasure of her.
5. a person's preference or choice
vb
(when: intr, often foll by in) to give pleasure to or take pleasure (in)
[C14 plesir, from Old French; related to Old French plaisir to please]
ˈpleasureful adj
ˈpleasureless adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
pleas•ure
(ˈplɛʒ ər)n., v. -ured, -ur•ing. n.
1. enjoyment or satisfaction derived from something that is to one's liking; gratification; delight.
2. a cause or source of enjoyment or delight: It was a pleasure to see you.
3. worldly or frivolous enjoyment: the pursuit of pleasure.
4. recreation or amusement: to travel for pleasure.
5. sensual gratification.
6. pleasurable quality.
7. one's will or desire; preference: to make known one's pleasure.
v.t. 8. to give pleasure to; gratify; please.
v.i. 9. to take pleasure; delight (often fol. by in).
10. to seek pleasure, as by taking a holiday.
[1325–75; late Middle English plesur(e), Middle English plesir < Middle French plaisir (n. use of infinitive) to please]
pleas′ure•ful, adj.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
Pleasure
See also happiness; recreation
a mania for pleasing delusions.
1. the cultivation of a refined taste, as in food, art, music, etc.; connoisseurship.
2. a devotion or adaptation to luxurious tastes, especially in drinking and eating, or to indulgence in sensual pleasures. — epicure, n. — epicurean, n., adj.
2. a devotion or adaptation to luxurious tastes, especially in drinking and eating, or to indulgence in sensual pleasures. — epicure, n. — epicurean, n., adj.
the characteristics of a pleasure trip. — excursionist, n. — excursional, adj.
hedonology.
1. Ethics. the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the highest good. See also epicurism.
2. a devotion to pleasure as a way of life. — hedonist, n. — hedonistic, adj.
2. a devotion to pleasure as a way of life. — hedonist, n. — hedonistic, adj.
Rare. the study of human pleasure. Also called hedonics.
a mania for pleasure.
Rare. a person devoted to worldly pleasure; hedonist or sybarite.
a form of conduct conforming to the precepts of the Stoics, especially as characterized by indifference to pain and pleasure. — stoic, n., adj. — stoical, adj.
devotion to sensual pleasures. — sybarite, n. — sybaritic, adj.
-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
Pleasure
See Also: GAIETY, HAPPINESS, JOY
- As much fun as a newborn kitten —Mary Hood
- As rewarding as a message from Billy Graham —Anon blurb about a romantic novel
- A decided pleasure … as sweet as returning soldiers sometimes admit the act of killing to be —John Updike
The simile from Updike’s novel, Roger’s Version, refers to the pleasure of affronting public opinion.
- Enjoyed [the difficulties of a job] … as a good fighter loves a battle —Frank Swinnerton
- Fun is like life insurance, the older you get the more it costs —Abe Martin
Frank McKinney Hubbard, also known as Kin Hubbard and Abe Martin, often wrote in country dialect. In the above simile, for example, he used ‘git’ instead of ‘get.’
- It’s (talking on the telephone) as good as a warm bath and a glass of milk —Enid Nemy, quoting Hazel Duke’s telephone habits, New York Times/New Yorkers, August 24, 1986
- It was marvelous, like seeing a capsized boat right itself, and knowing no serious damage had been done —John Fowles
- Luxuriating like a fucked-out lion —John Updike
- Pleased as a well tipped waiter —Anon
- Pleased, like a young housewife going through her house and finding everything in good order —Isak Dinesen
- Pleasure came like a lash —Julio Cortázar
- Pleasure is frail like a dewdrop, while it laughs it dies —Sir Rabindranath Tagore
- Pleasure is like a massive dose of vitamins —Anon
- Pleasures are like poppies spread —Robert Burns
- Pleasures are more beneficial than duties, because, like the quality of mercy, they are not strained, and they are twice blest —Robert Louis Stevenson
- Pleasures are much like mushrooms. The right kind are fine, but you have to be on the lookout for the toadstools —Boston Transcript, May 21, 1921
- Relish … like a robin-redbreast —William Shakespeare
- (She was as) satisfying as the morning breeze —Frank Swinnerton
- Savor experience as naturally as he accepts the prismatic blessing of sunshine glancing through the glass he holds —Francis X. Clines, New York Times, October 19, 1986
Clines’ subject is television writer John Mortimer.
- Snarl at pleasure like a stoic —Lord Chesterfield
- Snatches a crumb of pleasure like a dog snapping up a bone amid a host of dangers —Honoré de Balzac
Similes Dictionary, 1st Edition. © 1988 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
pleasure
Pleasure is a feeling of happiness, satisfaction, or enjoyment.
McPherson could scarcely conceal his pleasure at my resignation.
I can't understand how people can kill for pleasure.
Pleasure is usually an uncount noun. You say, for example, that something gives you pleasure. You do not say that it gives you 'a pleasure'.
I don't think any other book I have written has given me such great pleasure.
The event gave enormous pleasure to a lot of people.
You can talk about the pleasure of doing something.
I'd travel a thousand miles just for the pleasure of meeting you.
The soil has been tended here not for profit or prestige but for the pleasure of growing and caring for living things.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
pleasure
Past participle: pleasured
Gerund: pleasuring
| Imperative |
|---|
| pleasure |
| pleasure |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. |  pleasure - a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience; "he was tingling with pleasure"feeling - the experiencing of affective and emotional states; "she had a feeling of euphoria"; "he had terrible feelings of guilt"; "I disliked him and the feeling was mutual" delectation, delight - a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction; "his delight to see her was obvious to all" enjoyment - the pleasure felt when having a good time pleasantness - the feeling caused by agreeable stimuli; one pole of a continuum of states of feeling comfort - a feeling of freedom from worry or disappointment sexual pleasure - pleasure derived from sexual activities painfulness, pain - emotional distress; a fundamental feeling that people try to avoid; "the pain of loneliness" |
| 2. | pleasure - something or someone that provides a source of happiness; "a joy to behold"; "the pleasure of his company"; "the new car is a delight" positive stimulus - a stimulus with desirable consequences | |
| 3. | pleasure - a formal expression; "he serves at the pleasure of the President" | |
| 4. | pleasure - an activity that affords enjoyment; "he puts duty before pleasure" activity - any specific behavior; "they avoided all recreational activity" luxuriation - an activity that affords excessive pleasure and enjoyment | |
| 5. | pleasure - sexual gratification; "he took his pleasure of her" sex activity, sexual activity, sexual practice - activities associated with sexual intercourse; "they had sex in the back seat" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
pleasure
noun
1. happiness, delight, satisfaction, enjoyment, bliss, gratification, contentment, gladness, delectation We exclaimed with pleasure when we saw them.
happiness suffering, pain, anger, misery, sadness, sorrow, unhappiness, displeasure
happiness suffering, pain, anger, misery, sadness, sorrow, unhappiness, displeasure
2. amusement, joy, recreation, diversion, solace, jollies (slang), beer and skittles (informal) Watching TV is our only pleasure.
amusement labour, duty, obligation, necessity, abstinence
amusement labour, duty, obligation, necessity, abstinence
3. wish, choice, desire, will, mind, option, preference, inclination Let me get you a drink. What's your pleasure?
take pleasure in something enjoy, like, adore, love, relish, delight in, savour, revel in, get a kick out of (informal), be entertained by, be amused by He took pleasure in humiliating her.
with pleasure gladly, of course, happily, readily, cheerfully, willingly, by all means `Could you put the advert in the post to us?' - `With pleasure.'
Quotations
"Everyone is dragged on by their favourite pleasure" [Virgil Eclogue]
"Pleasure's a sin, and sometimes sin's a pleasure" [Lord Byron Don Juan]
"Sweet is pleasure after pain" [John Dryden Alexander's Feast]
"The rapturous, wild, and ineffable pleasure"
"Of drinking at somebody else's expense" [Henry Sambrooke Leigh Carols of Cockayne]
"Pleasure is nothing else but the intermission of pain" [John Selden Table Talk]
"One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other" [Jane Austen Emma]
"Everyone is dragged on by their favourite pleasure" [Virgil Eclogue]
"Pleasure's a sin, and sometimes sin's a pleasure" [Lord Byron Don Juan]
"Sweet is pleasure after pain" [John Dryden Alexander's Feast]
"The rapturous, wild, and ineffable pleasure"
"Of drinking at somebody else's expense" [Henry Sambrooke Leigh Carols of Cockayne]
"Pleasure is nothing else but the intermission of pain" [John Selden Table Talk]
"One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other" [Jane Austen Emma]
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
pleasure
noun1. A feeling of extreme gratification aroused by something good or desired:
2. The condition of responding pleasurably to something:
4. Unrestricted freedom to choose:
1. To give great or keen pleasure to:
Archaic: joy.
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
سُرورسُرور، مُتْعَه، فَرَح
насладаудоволствие
potěšeníradost
fornøjelseglæde
plezuro
lõbu
huviilo
zadovoljstvopreferencijaužitak
gyönyörűség
ánægja
楽しみ
기쁨
iškylų valtisjausti malonumąsu malonumu
baudaprieks
plăcere
razvedrilouživativeseljezadovoljstvo
behagnöje
ความปิติยินดี
thú vui
pleasure
[ˈpleʒəʳ]A. N
1. (= satisfaction) → placer m, gusto m; (= happiness) → alegría f
to be fond of pleasure → ser amante de los placeres
sexual pleasure → placer m sexual
my pleasure!; the pleasure is mine! (frm) (returning thanks) → ¡de nada!, ¡no hay de qué! (esp LAm)
what pleasure can you find in shooting partridges? → ¿qué placer encuentras en matar perdices?
to do sth for pleasure → hacer algo por gusto or placer
is this trip for business or pleasure? → ¿este viaje es de negocios o de placer?
to get pleasure from sth → disfrutar con algo
to give sb pleasure → dar gusto a algn
if it gives you any pleasure → si te gusta
I have much pleasure in informing you that → tengo el gran placer de comunicarles que ...
may I have the pleasure? (frm) (at dance) → ¿quiere usted bailar?
Mr and Mrs Brown request the pleasure of your company (frm) (on invitation) → los Sres. Brown tienen el placer de solicitar su asistencia
to take pleasure in books → disfrutar leyendo
I take great pleasure in watching them grow → disfruto muchísimo viéndolos crecer
to take pleasure in teasing sb → disfrutar tomándo el pelo a algn
with pleasure → con mucho gusto
to be fond of pleasure → ser amante de los placeres
sexual pleasure → placer m sexual
my pleasure!; the pleasure is mine! (frm) (returning thanks) → ¡de nada!, ¡no hay de qué! (esp LAm)
what pleasure can you find in shooting partridges? → ¿qué placer encuentras en matar perdices?
to do sth for pleasure → hacer algo por gusto or placer
is this trip for business or pleasure? → ¿este viaje es de negocios o de placer?
to get pleasure from sth → disfrutar con algo
to give sb pleasure → dar gusto a algn
if it gives you any pleasure → si te gusta
I have much pleasure in informing you that → tengo el gran placer de comunicarles que ...
may I have the pleasure? (frm) (at dance) → ¿quiere usted bailar?
Mr and Mrs Brown request the pleasure of your company (frm) (on invitation) → los Sres. Brown tienen el placer de solicitar su asistencia
to take pleasure in books → disfrutar leyendo
I take great pleasure in watching them grow → disfruto muchísimo viéndolos crecer
to take pleasure in teasing sb → disfrutar tomándo el pelo a algn
with pleasure → con mucho gusto
2. (= source of pleasure) → placer m, gusto m
it's a real pleasure → es un verdadero placer
all the pleasures of London → todos los placeres de Londres
it's a pleasure to see her → da gusto verla
it's a pleasure to know that → es un motivo de satisfacción saber que ...
it's a real pleasure → es un verdadero placer
all the pleasures of London → todos los placeres de Londres
it's a pleasure to see her → da gusto verla
it's a pleasure to know that → es un motivo de satisfacción saber que ...
3. (frm) (= will) → voluntad f
what is your pleasure, sir? → ¿en qué puedo servirle, señor?, ¿qué manda el señor?
at sb's pleasure → según la voluntad de algn
to be detained during her Majesty's pleasure (Jur) → quedar encarcelado a disposición del Estado
what is your pleasure, sir? → ¿en qué puedo servirle, señor?, ¿qué manda el señor?
at sb's pleasure → según la voluntad de algn
to be detained during her Majesty's pleasure (Jur) → quedar encarcelado a disposición del Estado
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
pleasure
[ˈplɛʒər] n (= enjoyment) → plaisir m
I read for pleasure → Je lis pour le plaisir.
to mix business and pleasure → mélanger les affaires et le plaisir
Is this trip for business or pleasure?
BUT Est-ce un voyage d'affaires ou d'agrément?.
to take pleasure in sth → prendre plaisir à qch
to take pleasure in doing sth → prendre plaisir à faire qch
to give sb great pleasure → donner beaucoup de plaisir à qn
I read for pleasure → Je lis pour le plaisir.
to mix business and pleasure → mélanger les affaires et le plaisir
Is this trip for business or pleasure?
BUT Est-ce un voyage d'affaires ou d'agrément?.
to take pleasure in sth → prendre plaisir à qch
to take pleasure in doing sth → prendre plaisir à faire qch
to give sb great pleasure → donner beaucoup de plaisir à qn
(= source of enjoyment) → plaisir m
Watching TV is our only pleasure → Regarder la télé est leur seul plaisir.
Watching TV is our only pleasure → Regarder la télé est leur seul plaisir.
(in polite phrases) it's a pleasure! → c'est un plaisir !
my pleasure! → c'est un plaisir !
with pleasure → avec plaisir
it's a pleasure to meet you → c'est un plaisir de vous rencontrerpleasure boat n → bateau m de plaisancepleasure craft n → bateau m de plaisancepleasure cruise n → croisière f
my pleasure! → c'est un plaisir !
with pleasure → avec plaisir
it's a pleasure to meet you → c'est un plaisir de vous rencontrerpleasure boat n → bateau m de plaisancepleasure craft n → bateau m de plaisancepleasure cruise n → croisière f
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
pleasure
n
(= satisfaction, happiness) → Freude f; it’s a pleasure, (my) pleasure → gern (geschehen)!; with pleasure → sehr gerne, mit Vergnügen (form); the pleasure is all mine (form) → das Vergnügen ist ganz meinerseits (form); it’s my very great pleasure … → es ist mir ein großes Vergnügen, …; it gives me great pleasure to be here (form) → es ist mir eine große Freude, hier zu sein; it would give me great pleasure to … → es wäre mir ein Vergnügen, zu …; if it gives you pleasure → wenn es dir Vergnügen bereitet; I have much pleasure in informing you that … → ich freue mich (sehr), Ihnen mitteilen zu können, dass …; to have the pleasure of doing something → das Vergnügen haben, etw zu tun; to do something for pleasure → etw zum Vergnügen tun; he finds pleasure in books → er hat Freude an Büchern; he gets a lot of pleasure out of his hobby → er hat viel Freude or Spaß an seinem Hobby; to get pleasure from or out of doing something → Spaß daran haben, etw zu tun; he seems to take pleasure in annoying me → es scheint ihm Vergnügen zu bereiten, mich zu ärgern; but don’t think I’ll take pleasure in it → aber glaub nicht, dass mir das Spaß macht; may I have the pleasure? (form) → darf ich (um den nächsten Tanz) bitten? (form); will you do me the pleasure of dining with me? (form) → machen Sie mir das Vergnügen, mit mir zu speisen? (form); Mrs X requests the pleasure of Mr Y’s company (form) → Frau X gibt sich die Ehre, Herrn Y einzuladen (form); Mr Y has great pleasure in accepting … (form) → Herr Y nimmt … mit dem größten Vergnügen an (form)
(= amusement) → Vergnügen nt; is it business or pleasure? → (ist es) geschäftlich oder zum Vergnügen?
(= source of pleasure) → Vergnügen nt; it’s a pleasure to meet you → es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen; it’s a pleasure to work with him → es ist ein Vergnügen, mit ihm zusammenzuarbeiten; he’s a pleasure to teach → es ist ein Vergnügen, ihn zu unterrichten; the pleasures of country life → die Freuden des Landlebens; all the pleasures of London → alle Vergnügungen Londons; she has very few pleasures in life → sie hat nicht viele Freuden im Leben
pleasure
in cpds → Vergnügungs-;pleasure boat
n
(= yacht etc) → Hobbyboot nt
pleasure craft
n → Hobbyboot nt
pleasure cruise
n → Vergnügungsfahrt f, → Kreuzfahrt f
pleasure ground
pleasure-loving
adj → lebenslustig, leichtlebig (pej)
pleasure principle
n (Psych) → Lustprinzip nt
pleasure-seeker
n → Vergnügungshungrige(r) mf
pleasure-seeking
adj → vergnügungshungrig
pleasure trip
n → Vergnügungsausflug m → or -reise f
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
pleasure
[ˈplɛʒəʳ]1. n
a. (satisfaction, happiness) → piacere m
with pleasure → con piacere, volentieri
it's a pleasure!, my pleasure!, the pleasure is mine! (frm) (returning thanks) → prego!, il piacere è (tutto) mio!
I have much pleasure in informing you that ... → sono lieto di informarla che...
may I have the pleasure? (frm) (at dance) → mi concede l'onore di questo ballo?
Mr and Mrs Smith request the pleasure of your company (frm) → i Signori Smith gradirebbero averla come ospite
with pleasure → con piacere, volentieri
it's a pleasure!, my pleasure!, the pleasure is mine! (frm) (returning thanks) → prego!, il piacere è (tutto) mio!
I have much pleasure in informing you that ... → sono lieto di informarla che...
may I have the pleasure? (frm) (at dance) → mi concede l'onore di questo ballo?
Mr and Mrs Smith request the pleasure of your company (frm) → i Signori Smith gradirebbero averla come ospite
b. (source of pleasure) → piacere m
all the pleasures of London → tutti i divertimenti di Londra
is this trip for business or pleasure? → è un viaggio d'affari o di piacere?
all the pleasures of London → tutti i divertimenti di Londra
is this trip for business or pleasure? → è un viaggio d'affari o di piacere?
c. (frm) (will) → desiderio, volontà
at sb's pleasure → secondo i desideri di qn
we await your pleasure (Comm) → siamo a vostra disposizione
to be detained during her Majesty's pleasure (Law) essere condannato ad una pena detentiva di durata illimitata (prevista per i reati più gravi)
at sb's pleasure → secondo i desideri di qn
we await your pleasure (Comm) → siamo a vostra disposizione
to be detained during her Majesty's pleasure (Law) essere condannato ad una pena detentiva di durata illimitata (prevista per i reati più gravi)
2. adj (cruise) → di piacere
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
pleasure
(ˈpleʒə) noun something that gives one enjoyment; joy or delight. the pleasures of country life; I get a lot of pleasure from listening to music.
ˈpleasurable adjective giving pleasure; agreeable. a pleasurable pastime.
ˈpleasurably adverbˈpleasure-boat / ˈpleasure-craft nouns
a boat used for pleasure.
take pleasure in to get enjoyment from. He takes great pleasure in annoying me.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
pleasure
→ سُرور potěšení fornøjelse Vergnügen ευχαρίστηση placer ilo plaisir zadovoljstvo piacere 楽しみ 기쁨 plezier fornøyelse przyjemność prazer удовольствие nöje ความปิติยินดี zevk thú vui 愉快Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
Collins Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
pleasure
n placer m, gustoEnglish-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.