# pleasure

/ˈpɫɛʒɝ/ (US) · /plˈɛʒɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pleasure
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 2. something enjoyable

noun · CEFR B1

an activity, person, or thing that gives you enjoyment.

For teachers: a specific source of enjoyment or a pleasant activity.

- Reading a good book by the fire is one of life's simple pleasures.
- The botanical gardens offer many pleasures to the amateur photographer, from rare tropical blooms to carefully manicured landscapes.

Usage: Countable in this sense.

### 3. polite response

noun · CEFR A2 · Formal

a polite way to say you were happy to help someone.

For teachers: a formulaic social expression used to acknowledge thanks or a meeting.

- It was a pleasure to meet you and your family at the wedding.
- When the host thanked him for the gift, he replied that it was a pleasure to contribute to such a worthy cause.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'It's my pleasure' or 'With pleasure'.

### 4. formal will or choice

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the choice or desire of someone in a powerful position.

For teachers: the will, desire, or arbitrary preference of a person or agency in authority.

- The committee members serve at the pleasure of the president.
- In many constitutional systems, certain officials hold their positions only at the pleasure of the sovereign.

Usage: Often found in the phrase 'at someone's pleasure'.

### 5. to give enjoyment

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to give someone a feeling of happiness or satisfaction.

For teachers: to afford or provide gratification to another person.

- The beautiful music seemed to pleasure the entire audience.
- The chef aimed to pleasure the palates of his guests with a fusion of traditional and modern techniques.

Usage: Transitive verb taking a direct object.

## Examples

- Reading a good book gives me great pleasure.
- It was a pleasure to meet the new neighbors at the community garden yesterday.
- The philosopher argued that true pleasure is found not in fleeting physical sensations but in the quiet satisfaction of a life lived with purpose.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.