- [uncountable] a state of feeling or being happy or satisfied synonym enjoyment
- His eyes lit up with pleasure.
- for pleasure Encourage your child to read for pleasure.
- pleasure in something He takes no pleasure in his work.
- pleasure in doing something She took pleasure in shocking her parents.
- pleasure from/out of something A large number of people fail to derive any pleasure at all from horror movies.
- pleasure from/out of doing something He gets a lot of pleasure out of watching his children perform.
- pleasure of doing something She had the pleasure of seeing him look surprised.
- pleasure of something (formal) We request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of our daughter Lisa.
- (formal) May I have the pleasure of the next dance?
- the sheer pleasure of performing music
- pleasure at something I was touched by her genuine pleasure at her mother's present.
- pleasure at doing something The band's pleasure at being back in Dublin was clear.
- It gives me great pleasure to introduce our guest speaker.
- Caring for a sick relative is a task that brings both pleasure and pain.
- (formal) The photographs are now available for your viewing pleasure.
Synonyms funfunpleasure ▪ (a) good time ▪ enjoyment ▪ (a) great timeThese are all words for the feeling of enjoying yourself, or activities or time that you enjoy.fun (rather informal) the feeling of enjoying yourself; activities that you enjoy:- We had a lot of fun at Sarah’s party.
- Sailing is good/great fun.
- Reading for pleasure and reading for study are not the same.
- We had a good time in Spain.
- I get a lot of enjoyment from music.
- We had a really great time together.
- to do something for fun/pleasure/enjoyment
- great fun/pleasure/enjoyment
- to have fun/a good time/a great time
- to get pleasure/enjoyment from something
- to spoil the fun/somebody’s pleasure/somebody’s enjoyment
Extra ExamplesTopics Feelingsb1- Children find endless pleasure in playing with water.
- He beamed with pleasure at seeing her.
- He gained vicarious pleasure from watching people laughing and joking.
- I hope to have the pleasure of meeting you again.
- My grandfather got immense pleasure out of life until the end.
- She was deriving a perverse pleasure from his discomfort.
- The audience nodded with quiet pleasure at her remark.
- the dubious pleasure of growing up in the public eye
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- deep
- enormous
- …
- bring (somebody)
- give (somebody)
- provide
- …
- for pleasure
- with pleasure
- pleasure at
- …
- business and pleasure
- business or pleasure
- etc.
- …
Definitions on the go
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- [uncountable] the activity of enjoying yourself, especially in contrast to working
- Are you in Paris on business or pleasure?
- a pleasure boat/trip
Synonyms entertainmententertainmentfun ▪ recreation ▪ relaxation ▪ play ▪ pleasure ▪ amusementThese are all words for things or activities used to entertain people when they are not working.entertainment films, television, music, etc. used to entertain people:- There are three bars, with live entertainment seven nights a week.
- It wasn’t serious—it was all done in fun.
- We didn’t mean to hurt him. It was just a bit of fun.
- The lottery provides harmless fun for millions.
- His only form of recreation is playing football.
- I go hill-walking for relaxation.
- the happy sounds of children at play
- Are you in Paris for business or pleasure?
- What do you do for amusement round here?
- to do something for entertainment/fun/recreation/relaxation/pleasure/amusement
- to provide entertainment/fun/recreation/relaxation/amusement
Extra Examples- I often meet useful people at parties, so I combine business with pleasure.
- I never mix business with pleasure.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- deep
- enormous
- …
- bring (somebody)
- give (somebody)
- provide
- …
- for pleasure
- with pleasure
- pleasure at
- …
- business and pleasure
- business or pleasure
- etc.
- …
- [countable] a thing that makes you happy or satisfied
- pleasure of something the simple pleasures of the countryside
- the pleasures and pains of everyday life
- Swimming is one of my greatest pleasures.
- Chocolate is one of life’s little pleasures.
- This movie was one of the unexpected pleasures of the Film Festival.
- it is a pleasure to do something It's a pleasure to meet you.
- ‘Thanks for doing that.’ ‘It's a pleasure.’
Synonyms pleasurepleasuredelight ▪ joy ▪ privilege ▪ treat ▪ honourThese are all words for things that make you happy or that you enjoy.pleasure a thing that makes you happy or satisfied:- the pleasures and pains of everyday life
- It’s been a pleasure meeting you.
- the delights of living in the country
- the joys and sorrows of childhood
- It was a great privilege to hear her sing.
- You’ve never been to this area before? Then you’re in for a real treat.
- It was a great honour to be invited here today.
- the pleasures/delights/joys of something
- It’s a great pleasure/joy to me that…
- It’s a pleasure/delight/joy/privilege/treat/honour to do something
- It’s a pleasure/delight/joy to see/find…
- a pleasure/delight/joy to behold/watch
- a real pleasure/delight/joy/privilege/treat
- a great pleasure/joy/privilege/honour
- a rare joy/privilege/treat/honour
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- great
- dubious
- little
- …
- have
- enjoy
- forgo
- …
- boat
- craft
- cruise
- …
- the pleasures of life
- the pleasures of the flesh
- To what do I owe the pleasure?
- …
compare displeasure
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French plaisir ‘to please’ (used as a noun). The second syllable was altered under the influence of abstract nouns ending in -ure, such as measure.
Idioms
See pleasure in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee pleasure in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishat your/somebody’s pleasure
- (formal) as you want; as somebody else wants
- The land can be sold at the owner's pleasure.
a guilty pleasure
- something that you enjoy, even though you feel it is not really a good thing
- Daytime TV is one of my guilty pleasures.
my pleasure
- used as a polite way of replying when somebody thanks you for doing something, to show that you were happy to do it
with pleasure
- used as a polite way of accepting or agreeing to something
- ‘May I sit here?’ ‘Yes, with pleasure.’
Check pronunciation:
pleasure